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Nelson,  Robert,  1656-1715. 

The  great  duty  of 

frequenting  the  Christian 


^^,KW  of  Pf?///^, 

THE    ^v>^  '',; 

GREAT  DUTY  OF  PUlJiattfltTfeG 


CHRISTIAN    SA 


0! 


AND  TIIK  NAT C RE  OF  THE 

PREPARATION  REQUIRED; 

■\VITIt 

SUITABLE    DEVOTIONS; 

PARTLY  COLLECTED  FROM  THE  ANCIENT  LITURGIES. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  PREFIXED 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  CONFIRMATION. 


By  ROBERT  NELSON,  Esq. 


"  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  shew  the  Lord's 
deatli  till  he  come." — 1  Cor.  xi.  26. 

'•  We  have  an  altar,  whereof  they  have  no  right  to  eat  which  serve  the  taber- 
nacle."—Heb.  xiii.  10. 


l^EW  EDITION, 

Adapted  to  the  Use  of  the  Society. 


(. 


LONDON: 

Printed  for  the 
SOCIETY  FOR  PROMOTING  CHRISTIAN  KNOWLEDGE; 

SOLD  AT  THE  DEPOSITORY, 

GREAT    QUEEN    STREET,    LINCOLN'S    INN    FIELDS; 

AND  BY  ALL  BOOKSELLERS. 

an 

iA 


Gilbert  &  Rivington,  Printers,  St.  John's  Square,  London. 


l! 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Exercise  upon  Confirmation 1 

The  Obligations  to  receive  the  Holy  Communion      .     .  13 

From  the  positive  command  of  our  Saviour  ...  15 

From  the  Nature  of  the  Duty 16 

From  the  Benefits  annexed  to  it 18 

The  Nature  of  Preparation  required 20 

Consists  in  understanding  the  meaning  of  the  Holy 

Rite 21 

And  by  whom  to  be  administered 26 

In  the  exercise  of  several  Christian  Virtues    ...  29 

The  Objections  against  frequent  Communion  answered  .  36 

From  Unworthiness ib. 

From  want  of  Respect 38 

From  preventing  the  Profit  of  it 39 

From  Multiplicity  of  Business 41 

From  the  Commands  of  the  Church 42 

The  Advantages  of  frequent  Communion 44 

The  Care  of  the  Church  of  England  to  prevent  the  Pro- 

fanatitm  of  the  Lord's  Supper 46 

Directions  about  the  manner  of  receiving 48 

As  to  the  Reverence  of  our  Bodies ib. 

As  to  the  Reverence  of  our  Minds 50 

Devotions  for  the  Altar 51 

A  Prayer  to  prepare  our  Minds  for  the  devout  Celebra- 
tion of  the  Holy  Mysteries :  ib. 

Meditations  upon  the  Sentences  of  Scripture  used  at  the 

Offertory 53 

A  Prayer  when  we  offer  our  Alms 60 

Meditations  on  the   Sentences   of  Scripture  after  the 

Absolution %Q 

A  Prayer  immediately  after  Consecration 73 

A  Prayer  before  the  receiving  the  Consecrated  Bread, 

consisting  of  Confession  and  imploring  Pardon     .     .  74 


IV  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 
A  Prayer  before  the  receiving  the  Consecrated  Bread, 
consisting  of  Petitions  for  the  Virtues  of  a  Christian 

Life 77 

A  Shorter  Prayer  before  receiving  the  Consecrated  Ele- 
ments, containing  the  Affections  of  a  devout  Commu- 
nicant   82 

A  Prayer  when  the  Priest  approaches  to  dehver  the  Con- 
secrated Bread 84 

A  Prayer  after  receiving  the  Consecrated  Bread    .     .     .     85 
When  the  Priest  approaches  to  dehver  the  Consecrated 

Wme 86 

A  Prayer  after  receiving 87 

An  Intercession  for  all  Estates  of  Men 88 

A  General  Thanksgiving 91 

A  Short  Prayer  when  the  Communion  Service  is  ended  .     97 

Acts  of  Faith 99 

Acts  of  Hope 101 

Acts  of  Love 103 

Acts  of  Conformity  to  the  Will  of  God 105 

Acts  of  Virtue  in  relation  to  the  Passion 107 

Acts  of  Humility 109 

Acts  of  Contrition Ill 

Acts  of  Praise 114 

A  Prayer  which  may  be  used  at  any  time  in  the  Week 
before  the  Sunday  or  Holyday  on  which  we  design  to 
communicate,  and  which  may  properly  be  annexed  to 

our  Morning  Devotions  at  such  times 117 

A  Prayer  in  our  retirement  after  we  are  returned  Home 

from  the  Lord's  Table 119 

A  Morning  Prayer  for  a  Family 121 

An  Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family 124 


INSTRUCTIONS 

FOR    THEM    THAT 

Come  to  be  confirmed 

BY    WAY    OF 

QUESTION  AND  ANSWER. 


Q.  What  is  Confirmation  ? 

A.  A  solemn  rite  instituted  by  the  Apostles, 
wherein  the  Bishop,  by  laying  on  of  hands,  and 
by  fervent  prayer,  and  authoritative  benediction, 
conveys  to  such  persons,  who,  in  the  presence  of 
God  and  the  congregation,  sincerely  renew  their 
baptismal  vow,  a  farther  degree  of  God's  grace  and 
Holy  Spirit. 

Q.    JV/iat  is  the  end  and  design  of  confirmation  ? 

A.  That  baptized  Christians  should  by  their  own 
deliberate  choice  take  upon  themselves  that  vow 
and  promise,  which  was  made  in  their  names  by 
their  godfathers  and  godmothers,  when  they  were 
admitted  members  of  Christ's  Church ;  so  that  the 
confirmed  person  expressly  consents  to  the  baptis- 
mal covenant,  and  before  God  and  many  witnesses 
engages  to  perform  his  part  of  it. 

Q.  At  what  age  is  con^rmsition  to  be  administered? 

A.  The  Church  of  England  hath  not  determined 
any  certain  age,  but  requires  it  to  be  done  only  to 
such  as  are  come  to  a  competent  age :  which  implies 
that  none  should  be  admitted  till  they  understand 
the  nature  of  the  baptismal  vow,  which  they  then 
renew,  and  till  they  are  capable  of  making  a  pru- 
dent and  firm  resolution  of  observing  it. 

Q.  What  custom  was  there  among  the  Jews  which 
lore  any  resemblance  with  confirmation  ? 

A.  The  Jews  were  wont  to  bring  their  children 
[96]  B 


2  Of  Confirmation. 

before  the  congregation  at  thirteen  years  old,  when 

they  had  learned  the  law,  and  the  ex- 

Jud.  cap"*vii.     phcation  thereof,  and  their  daily  prayers ; 

whereupon  they  were  declared  sons  of 

the  precept,  and  henceforth  they  were  to  answer  for 

their  own  sins,  for  which  before  the  fathers  and 

not  the  children  had  been  responsible  ;  and  the  rite 

ended  with  prayers  and  praises. 

Q.    JVhat  hath  the   Church  of  England  declared 

concerning  confirmation  ? 

A.  That  it  hath  been  a  solemn,  ancient, 

and  laudable  custom,   continued  from   the 

Apostles'  time,   that  all  Bishops  should  lay  their 

hands  upon  children  baptized,  and  instructed  in 

the  Catechism  of  the  Christian  religion,  praying 

over  them  and  blessing  them. 

Q.  How  does  it  appear  that  this  rite  was  used  by 

the  Apostles  ? 

A.  We  have   the    Scripture  itself  for  the   evi- 

...     dence    of  the  fact;   for  when  the  men  of 

Samaria  had  been  converted  and  baptized, 

and  had  received  the  word  of  God,  the  Apostles, 

St.  Peter  and  St.  John,  were  sent  to  confirm  those 

new  converts,  to  lay  their  hands  upon  them,  that 

they  might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost.     And  the  dis- 

.     ^  ^   ciples  at  Ephesus,  after  they  had  been 
Acts  XIX.  5,  G.   T   ^      .       1-1  p    1 

baptized  m  the  name  ot  Jesus,  were 

confirmed  by  St.  Paul,   who  laid  his  hands  upon 
them,   and   then  they   received  the  Holy  Ghost. 
And  further,  the  same  Apostle  mentions  as  funda- 
mentals,  not  only  the  doctrine  of  baptism, 
but  the  laying  on  of  hands,  by  which  the 
ancient  interpreters  have  always  understood  con- 
firmation, which  appeared  so  plain  to  Calvin 
himself,  that  it  was  his  opinion,  that  this  one 
place  shotvs  evidently  that  confirmation  was  insti- 
tuted by  the  Apostles. 

Q.  How  does  it  appear  that  con^rmsition  was  not 
confined  to  the  age  of  the  Apostles  ? 


Of  Confirmation.  3 

A.  Because  this  solemn  rite  is  highly  useful  and 
beneficial  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  Christians  in  all 
ages  ;  who  stand  in  need  of  the  influences  of  God's 
Holy  Spirit  to  the  great  purpose  of  sanctification  ; 
and  was  as  such  accordingly  practised  by  them  in 
all  the  succeeding  ages  of  the  Church,  as  appears 
by  the  testimonies  of  fathers  and  councils,  who 
in  this  matter  speak  as  witnesses  of  a  catholic 
custom. 

Q.  /F^a^  testimonies  caw  youshow  ofthisjyractice? 

A.  Tertullian,   who  flourished   about  fourscore 
years  after  St.  John,  and  who  is  very  careful  in 
relating  the  practice  of  the  Primitive 
Church,  tells   us.   That  after  baptism     ^    ap  •  c.   . 
succeeds  laying  on  of  hands,  by  prayer  calling  for 
and  inviting  the  Holy  Spirit.     And  St.  Cyprian, 
who  flourished  about  sixty  years  after  Tertullian, 
hath  this  remark  upon  the  history  of  the  Samaritan 
converts ;   The  same  thing  is  practised  among  us, 
that  they  ivho  are  baptized  in  the  Church,        . 
are  presented  to  the  governors  of  it,  the      P^^  *  '  • 
Bishops,   that  by  our  prayers  and  imposition  of 
hands,  they  may  obtain  the  Holy    Ghost,   and  be 
perfected  with  the  seed  of  Christ :  which  is  by  con- 
firmation to  attain  the  highest  order  of  Christians. 
St.  Jerome  speaks  full  to  the  point :  If  you  ask, 
says   he,    where   it   is   written  ?   it   is 
written  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles:     Lu^if. 
but  if  there  loere  no  authority  of  Scrip- 
ture for  it,  yet  the  consent  of  all  the  world  in  this 
particular,  is  instead  of  a  command. 

Q.    What  are  the  effects  of  confirmation  ? 

A.  In  the  Primitive  Church,  these  effects  were 
extraordinary  gifts,  such  as  were  necessary  then 
in  the  infant  state  of  the  Church  ;  but  upon  the 
settlement  of  it,  the  Holy  Spirit  guides  it  by  secret 
and  invisible  communications,  which  those  receive 
who  are  qualified  to  partake  of  them  in  this  regular 
and  ministerial  way  ;  and  they  are  those  ordinary 
B  2 


4  Of  Confirmation. 

helps  and  assistances,  which  are  necessary  for  the 
performing  the  conditions  of  our  salvation,  which 
we  cannot  work  out,  without  the  influences  of 
God's  Holy  Spirit. 

Q.    Who  is  the  proper  minister  0/ confirmation  ? 

A.  The  administration  of  this  rite  was  devolved 

by  the  Apostles  to  their  successors,  the  Bishops  of 

...  the    Catholic    Church;   for   though 

'     *    Philip  the  deacon  had  liberty  both  to 

preach  and  baptize,  yet  the  Apostles  only  had  the 

power  to  confirm,  as  is  plain  by  the  his- 
c.  xvm.  V.  16.    5  r  a.1       o  -^  /  a      i 

tory  or  the  bamantan  converts.  And, 
therefore,  this  rite  is  appropriated  to  the  Bishops, 
as  being  successors  of  the  Apostles  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church,  in  all  the  primitive  records  of 
Christianity. 

Q.    What  ceremony  is  used  in  confirmation  ? 

A.  The  laying  on  of  the  hand  of  the  Bishop 
upon  the  head  of  the  person  to  be  confirmed  ;  a 
very  ancient  ceremony  in  giving  of  blessings,  prac- 
tised by  the  Jews,  and  made  use  of  by  our  Saviour 
Matt.  xix.  13.  himself  and  adopted  by  the  Apostles, 
Acts  vii.  17.  with  prayer  for  communicating  the  Holy 
Heb.  VI.  2.  Spirit  in  confirmation,  and  which  gave 
name  to  the  whole  office,  which  is  called  The  laying 
on  of  hands. 

Q.  What  qualifications  are  necessary  for  the  can- 
didates of  this  holy  ordinance  ? 

A.  Those  who  are  brought  to  be  confirmed, 
ought  to  be  thoroughly  instructed  in  the  nature  of 
their  baptismal  vow,  which  they  then  renew,  and 
of  that  obligation  they  lie  under  to  perform  it. 
They  ought  to  be  acquainted  with  the  meaning  of 
this  holy  rite,  and  whose  office  it  is  to  administer 
it.  They  ought  to  have  a  competent  degree  of  the 
knowledge  of  those  Christian  duties  that  relate  to 
God,  their  neighbour  and  themselves.  And  in 
order  to  these  ends,  it  is  advisable  that  they  should 
some  time  before  read  over  the  confirmation  office. 


Of  Confirmation,  5 

Q.  What  'particular  'preparation  is  necessary 
before  confirmation  ? 

A.  The  persons  to  be  confirmed  ought  to  exa- 
mine themselves  concerning  those  sins  of  omission 
or  commission  they  have  been  guilty  of,  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed ;  and  to  confess  them  to  God,  de- 
claring their  hearty  sorrow  and  repentance  for 
them,  and  earnestly  begging  God's  pardon  and 
forgiveness;  to  which  they  must  add  serious  reso- 
lutions of  living  answerably  to  their  Christian 
profession.  And  that  their  prayers  and  holy 
purposes  may  be  effectual,  they  would  do  well  to 
join  fasting  to  them,  that  they  may  be  the  better 
disposed  to  receive  the  influences  of  God's  Holy 
Spirit. 

Q.  Si7ice  you  mention  the  necessity  of  making 
serious  resolutions  of  living  answerably  to  the  Chris- 
tian profession,  when  you  receive  confirmation ; 
pray  what  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  those  ene- 
mies that  oppose  your  salvation,  the  devil,  the  world, 
and  the  flesh  ? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  be  always 
upon  the  watch  against  those  various  ways,  in 
which  each  of  them  is  likely  to  endanger  my  salva- 
tion ;  I  resolve  to  use  all  fit  and  proper  means  to 
secure  myself  against  those  dangers ;  and  particu- 
larly to  fortify  those  weak  places  of  my  mind, 
which  my  temper  or  circumstances  of  life  render 
most  exposed  to  them. 

Q.    What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  the  devil  ? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  God's  assistance,  never  to  give 
my  consent  to  any  of  those  wicked  thoughts  which 
he  may  throw  into  my  mind;  nor  to  comply  with 
any  of  those  temptations  whereby  he  solicits  me  to 
sin.  And  I  particularly  resolve  to  avoid  all  pride, 
malice,  and  envy,  treachery,  lying,  revenge,  and 
cruelty,  which  are  most  properly  the  works  of  the 
devil. 

Q.  What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  the  world  I 
B  3 


6  Of  Confirmation. 

A.  I  resolve,  by  the  help  of  God,  not  to  do  any 
thing  unlawful  in  order  to  procure  honour,  riches, 
or  pleasure  ;  neither  will  I  set  my  affections  immo- 
derately upon  any  lawful  enjoyment.  I  resolve  to 
contradict  the  evil  maxims  and  customs,  to  avoid 
the  bad  company  of  a  vain  and  wicked  world  ;  and 
to  forego  all  worldly  comforts  and  possessions,  all 
my  natural  relations  and  my  own  life,  whenever 
they  stand  in  competition  with  my  duty. 

Q.    What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  the  flesh  ? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  God's  help,  to  resist  the  un- 
lawful desires  of  my  own  corrupt  nature;  to  sup- 
press all  lascivious  and  wanton  thoughts,  to  avoid 
all  filthy  and  obscene  discourse,  and  never  to  gratify 
my  fleshly  appetites,  but  with  temperance  and  so- 
briety, and  only  in  such  a  manner  as  is  allowed  by 
the  law  of  God.  And  in  order  to  this  purpose  I 
will  shun  sloth  and  idleness,  which  are  common 
incentives  to  our  carnal  minds. 

Q.    What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  your  faith? 

A.  I  resolve  to  be  stedfast  in  the  belief  of  the 
being  of  a  God,  which  is  evident  from  his  making 
and  preserving  all  things.  I  resolve  stedfastly  to 
believe,  that  in  this  one  glorious  Godhead,  there 
are  three  Persons,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  that  the  second  Person  in  the  blessed 
Trinity,  God  the  Son,  took  upon  Him  human  na- 
ture, was  born  of  a  virgin,  and  died  upon  a  cross  as 
a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  world ;  that  He  rose 
again  the  third  day  from  the  dead,  ascended  into 
heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  and 
that  He  will  come  again  to  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead.  That  this  Son  of  God,  our  Lord  Jesus, 
planted  a  Church  while  He  was  upon  earth,  and 
committed  the  care  of  it  to  his  Apostles,  with  a 
power  to  ordain  others  to  succeed  them  in  their 
office.  That  the  Holy  Ghost  bestowed  miraculous 
gifts  upon  the  Apostles  to  fit  them  to  convert  the 
world,  and  to  bring  all  mankind  into  the  Christian 


Of  Confirmation,  7 

Church,  in  which  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  eternal 
life  after  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  are  always 
to  be  obtained. 

Q.    Why  do  you  resolve  to  believe  thus  ? 

A.  Because  these  and  all  other  points  of  my 
creed  are  revealed  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  by  God 
himself,  who  is  infinite  truth,  and  cannot  lie,  who 
is  infinite  love,  and  will  not  deceive  me. 

Q.  What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  your  prac- 
tice ? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  the  help  of  divine  grace,  to  ob- 
serve all  those  precepts  which  relate  to  God,  my 
neighbour,  and  myself. 

Q.   What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  God  ? 

A.  I  resolve  to  pay  my  obedience  to  Him  in  a 
'due  and  devout  attendance  on  prayers,  both  in 
public  and  private,  and  on  the  holy  sacrament.  I 
resolve  to  own  his  bounty  in  all  the  good  things  I 
receive,  and  to  submit  patiently  to  his  wisdom  in 
all  the  afflictions  I  suffer.  I  resolve  to  reverence 
his  holy  name,  never  to  use  it  lightly,  nor  to  pro- 
fane it  by  customary  swearing,  much  less  by  false 
and  faithless  oaths.  I  resolve  to  reverence  his  holy 
word,  constantly  to  resort  to  his  worship,  and  to 
observe  his  day  particularly  set  apart  for  it,  and  to 
show  a  due  regard  to  all  things  and  persons  devoted 
to  Him  and  commissioned  by  Him. 

Q.  What  do  you  resolve  in  relation  to  your 
neighbour  ? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  be  just  in 
all  my  dealings,  never  to  deprive  him  of  his  right 
by  fraud  or  force  ;  to  be  sincere  in  my  expressions, 
and  to  be  true  to  my  promises.  I  resolve  to  relieve 
his  necessities  according  to  my  ability,  and  to  be 
candid  in  interpreting  his  words  and  actions;  never 
to  slander  him  by  false  reports,  or  unnecessarily 
to  publish  his  faults  by  evil  speaking.  I  resolve  to 
be  meek  and  patient  under  all  provocations,  and  to 
be  ready  to  forgive  all  affronts  and  injuries;  and 
B  4 


8  Of  Confirmation, 

to  study  to  promote  peace  among  all  men.  I 
resolve  to  love,  reverence,  and  obey  my  natural 
parents,  and  to  perform  the  several  duties  I  owe  to 
all  my  governors  in  Church  and  State. 

Q.    What  do  you  resolve  in  o'elation  to  yourself? 

A.  I  resolve,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  humble 
myself  under  a  just  sense  of  my  own  faults  and 
defects,  not  to  be  puffed  up  with  a  vain  conceit  of 
myself,  or  with  a  contempt  of  others.  I  resolve  to 
be  chaste  in  all  my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions : 
and  to  avoid  every  thing  that  may  in  the  least  have 
a  tendency  to  uncleanness :  to  be  temperate  in  the 
use  of  meats,  drinks,  and  all  other  enjoyments,  and 
to  fly  from  all  temptations  to  drunkenness.  I  re- 
solve to  deny  myself,  to  keep  my  body  under  by 
fasting  and  abstinence,  and  to  mortify  my  affections 
to  the  things  of  this  world  ;  and  to  be  ready  to  part 
with  any  of  the  conveniences  of  life  rather  than  for- 
sake the  ways  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

Q.  From  whence  appears  the  necessity  of  being 
sincere  in  these  resolutions? 

A.  Because  God,  who  knows  our  hearts,  will 
reject  our  pretended  dedication  of  ourselves  to  his 
service,  if  we  engage  only  out  of  custom,  and  in 
compliance  with  the  fashion  of  the  world  ;  and,  con- 
sequently, will  withhold  his  grace  from  us,  since  we 
render  ourselves  unworthy  of  the  influences  of  it, 
by  never  really  designing  what  we  openly  profess. 

Q.  What  are  the  great  advantages  o/confirmation? 

A.  It  is  a  new  engagement  to  a  Christian  life ; 
and  is  a  lasting  admonition  and  check  not  to  dis- 
honour or  desert  my  Christian  profession :  it  tends 
to  preserve  the  unity  of  the  Church,  by  making 
men  sensible  that  they  are  obliged  to  communicate 
with  those  ecclesiastical  superiors,  who  are  endowed 
with  all  those  powers  that  were  left  by  the  Apostles 
to  their  successors.  And  it  is  moreover  a  testi- 
mony of  God's  favour  and  goodness  to  those  that 
receive  it. 


Of  Conjirmalion,  9 

Q.  How  is  it  a  testimony  of  God's  favour  and 
goodness  to  those  that  receive  it  ? 

A.  Because  his  lawful  minister  declares  that  God 
accepts  their  proficiency,  and  advances  them  into 
the  highest  rank  of  the  faithful,  by  giving  them  a 
title  to  approach  the  holy  table.  And  because  God 
vouchsafes  thereby  to  communicate  supernatural 
strength  to  encounter  their  spiritual  enemies,  and 
enables  them  to  perform  what  they  undertake. 

Q.  What  care  has  the  Church  of  England 
shewn  for  the  effectual  administration  of  confir- 
mation ? 

A.  Such  is  the  wise  discipline  of  our  holy 
mother,  that  both  by  her  rubrics  and  canons,  she 
trains  up  by  gradual  steps  for  a  worthy  partaking 
of  this  holy  rite  ;  for  in  our  baptism  she  requires 
sureties  that  shall  engage  for  us,  and  give  security 
for  our  Christian  education  in  the  communion  of 
the  Church ;  they  being  obliged  not  Ejchort.  at  the 
only  to  see  us  instructed  in  all  neces-  end  of  Public 
sary  points  of  faith  and  practice,  but  ^«/'^""*- 
to  take  care,  that  when  we  are  fit,  we  be  brought 
to  the  Bishop  for  confirmation. 

Q.  What  farther  care  has  the  Church  expressed 
in  this  particular  ? 

A.  The  parish  priest  or  curate  is  particularly  en- 
joined to  catechize,  to  instruct^  and  ex- 
amine the  youth,  and  the  common  people,       ^"*  ^*  ^'* 
in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  according 
to   the    Church    Catechism,     And  the 
Church  farther  requires,  that  none  be     CatecLsm  ^  ^ 
presented  as  candidates,   till  they  can 
give  an  account  and  reason  of  their  faith,  of  which 
the  minister,  who  presents  them,  is  to   be  judge ; 
and  none  are  even   then  to  be  confirmed,  except 
the    Bishop   approves   of  them  :    and   to  strike  a 
greater  awe  in  the  candidates,  they  are  solemnly 
charged  to  answer  as  in  the  presence   of  God  and 
the  whole  congregation. 

B  5 


|"0  Of  Confirmation, 

Rub.  at  the  end  Q.  Why  is  a  godfather  or  godmother 
o     ateciibm.    ,jre quired  for  the  person  to  he  conjirmed? 

A.  As  a  voucher  for  the  sincerity  of  the  parties 
they  stand  for,  and  to  be  a  continual  monitor  to 
them  to  perform  their  vow,  as  well  as  a  witness  of 
their  making  the  same. 

Q.  How  hath  the  Church  endeavoured  to  prevent 
any  neglect  in  those  that  are  intrusted  with  the  ad- 
ministration of  confirmation  ? 

A.  She  wills  and  ordains,  that  every  Bishop  or 
his  suffragan,  in  his  usual  triennial  visi- 
tation, should  perform  in  his  own  person 
this  rite  and  usage ;  but  if  through  any  infirmity 
he  is  hindered  from  making  his  triennial  visitation, 
he  is  charged  not  to  omit  it  the  following  year,  as 
soon  as  conveniently  may  be. 

Q.  What  is  the  minister  of  the  parish  obliged  to 
doy  when  the  Bishop  giveth  notice  of  confirmation  ? 

A.  The  minister  of  every  parish  is  obliged  to 
Last  Rubric  bring  or  send  in  writing,  with  his  hand 
after  the  subscribed  thereunto,  the  names  of  all 
Catechism.  ^\xc]\  persons  within  his  parish,  as  he 
shall  think  fit  to  be  presented  to  the  Bishop  to  be 
confirmed. 

Q.   Ought  confirmation  to  he  received  more  than 


once : 


A.  It  is  not  to  be  repeated,  because  this  solemn 
renewal  of  our  baptismal  vow  is  sufficient  by  being 
once  performed,  and  for  farther  supplies  of  grace  we 
have  hereby  a  title  to  receive  the  Holy  Communion* 


A  Prayer  before   Confirmation,  to  be  tised  by  those 
that  are  preparing  for  it. 

Most  merciful  God,  by  vv^hose  gracious  provi- 
dence I  was  born  of  Christian  parents,  and  early 
dedicated  to  Thee  in  holy  baptism ;  make  me 
thoroughly  sensible,  I  beseech  Thee,  of  thy  infinite 


Of  Confirmation,  11 

goodness,  in  bestowing  upon  me  the  blessed  privi- 
leges of  being  made  a  member  of  thy  Church,  a  child 
of  Gcd,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  by  the  assistance  of  thy 
grace,  I  may  carefully  and  zealously  perform  all 
those  conditions,  upon  which  Thou  wert  pleased  to 
vouchsafe  to  me  such  inestimable  benefits :  that  I 
may  constantly  resist  the  devil,  and  all  those  temp- 
tations by  which  he  seeks  to  destroy  me  :  that  I 
may  renounce  all  covetous  desires  of  honour,  riches, 
and  pleasure,  and  all  those  evil  customs  and  maxims 
of  the  world,  which  alienate  men's  minds  from  the 
love  of  God  :  that  I  may  mortify  the  inordinate 
appetites  of  my  own  corrupt  nature,  of  my  own 
carnal  mind  ;  that  I  may  believe  all  thy  holy  reve- 
lations, and  keep  thy  blessed  will  and  command- 
ments all  the  days  of  my  life. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  that  I  am  about  to  renew 
the  solemn  vow  of  my  baptism,  and  publicly  in  thy 
presence  to  ratify  all  those  things  I  then  promised 
by  my  sureties ;  I  humbly  beseech  Thee  to  enlighten 
my  mind  with  the  knowledge  and  understanding  of 
that  solemn  engagement  I  then  made,  and  am  now 
about  to  confirm ;  influence  my  will,  and  all  the 
faculties  of  my  soul,  heartily  and  sincerely  to  per- 
form it.  Let  not  the  many  and  grievous  sins  that 
I  have  committed,  deprive  me  of  those  assistances 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  which  I  now  expect  to  receive  ; 
but,  on  my  true  repentance,  let  the  precious  blood 
of  my  Saviour  wash  away  all  my  past  sins,  and  grant 
that  I  may  be  enabled  to  mortify  and  subdue  them 
for  the  time  to  come.  And  forasmuch  as  without 
Thee,  I  am  not  able  to  please  Thee,  pour  thy  Holy 
Spirit  into  my  heart,  that  by  his  holy  inspiration  I 
may  think  those  things  which  are  good,  and  by  his 
merciful  guidance  may  perform  the  same,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  in  whose  blessed  name  and 
words  I  continue  to  pray,  saying, 

Our  Father,  ^c. 

B  6 


12  Of  Confirmation, 

A  Prayer  after  Confirmation^  which  may  he  said 
while  others  are  confirming ^  and  may  he  added  to 
the  evening  prayer  by  the  party  confirmed. 

Blessed  and  praised  be  thy  holy  name,  O  Lord, 
for  those  fresli  supplies  of  grace  which  Thou  hast 
been  pleased  to  communicate  to  me. 

Blessed  be  thy  name  for  those  comfortable  assur- 
ances Thou  hast  given  me  of  thy  favour  and  good- 
ness towards  me.  Blessed  be  thy  name  for  that 
privilege  Thou  hast  now  bestowed  upon  me  of 
approaching  thy  holy  table,  and  of  strengthening 
and  refreshing  my  soul  by  partaking  there  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ. 

Increase  in  me,  O  Lord,  more  and  more  the  gifts 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may  be  wise  for  eternity, 
and  make  it  the  chief  business  of  my  life  to  please 
Thee  in  all  my  actions ;  that  I  may  love  and  fear  Thee 
above  all  things  ;  that  I  may  be  just  and  righteous 
in  all  my  dealings,  and  ready  to  communicate  to 
the  necessities  of  others  :  that  I  may  keep  a  constant 
watch  over  myself,  so  as  not  to  exceed  the  bounds 
of  temperance  and  sobriety. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  my  corrupt  nature  may  be 
daily  renewed  and  purified  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that 
no  danger  or  persecution  may  affright  me  from  my 
duty ;  that  no  pleasure  may  make  me  careless  and 
negligent  in  the  performance  of  it;  and  that  under 
afflictions  most  grievous  to  flesh  and  blood,  I  may 
be  entirely  resigned,  and  submitted  to  thy  holy  will 
and  pleasure.  Let  thy  Holy  Spirit,  O  Lord,  so 
guide  and  govern  me  through  the  whole  course  of 
my  short  life  in  this  world,  that  I  may  not  fail  to 
obtain  eternal  life  in  the  world  to  come,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 


THE 


GREAT    DUTY 


OF    FREQUENTING 


THE  CHRISTIAN  SACRIFICE. 


It  is  no  wonder  that  men,  who  are  not  serious 
in  the  business  of  religion^  and  who  frequent  the 
Church  only  in  compliance  with  the  fashion  of  the 
world,  and  in  obedience  to  an  established  custom, 
should  neglect  one  of  the  greatest  advantages  of  the 
Christian  life,  I  mean  the  frequent  receiving  the 
holi/  Sacrament  of  Christ's  body  and  blood:  but 
that  Christians,  otherwise  very  devout  and  not  law- 
fully hindered,  who  have  the  fear  of  God  before 
their  eyes,  and  who  aim  at  pleasing  Him  in  all  their 
actions,  should  ever  turn  their  backs  upon  his  holy 
table,  and  when  invited  to  commemorate  the  meri- 
torious sacrifice  of  the  death  of  Christy  should  refuse 
to  give  such  an  easy  instance  of  a  thankful  heart, 
is  really  matter  of  astonishment ;  because  they  do 
thereby  neglect  the  most  effectual  means  of  grow- 
ing in  grace,  and  overlook  the  best  method  of 
attaining  what  they  most  sincerely  purpose  and 
desire. 

I  am  apt  indeed  to  think  that  this  their  bad 
conduct  chiefly  proceeds  from  the  want  of  a  true 
sense  of  their  duty  in  this  particular.  Their  great 
desire  to  perform  an  acceptable  sacrifice  to  God, 
fills  their  minds  with  lively  apprehensions  of  the 
great  danger  of  being  unworthy  communicants ;  so 


14  Duty  of  frequenting  the  Christian  Sacrifice. 

that  they  do  not  give  themselves  leisure  to  attend 
to  those  considerations  that  enforce  the  necessity 
of  the  duty ;  and  therefore  do  not  sufter  their 
thoughts  to  rest  upon  the  great  hazard  they  run, 
in  neglecting  to  execute  a  plain  command  of  our 
blessed  Saviour ;  which  is  more  dangerous  to  their 
salvation  than  performing  it  after  an  imperfect 
manner.  The  duty,  therefore,  being  indispensable, 
the  just  consequence  we  should  draw  from  the 
danger  of  unworthy  receiving,  should  be  the 
necessity  of  exciting  ourselves  to  great  care  and 
diligence  in  preparing  ourselves  for  the  due  dis- 
charge of  it ;  but  never  to  delude  ourselves  by  false 
reasons  into  such  a  neglect  as  will  certainly  increase 
our  guilt,  and  add  to  our  punishment. 

As  for  those  who  never  partake  of  the  holy  com- 
munion during  their  whole  lives,  for  fear  lest  their 
sins  should  receive  a  fresh  aggravation  by  being 
committed  after  so  solemn  an  obligation  to  be  reli- 
gious ;  it  is  plain  they  run  into  a  very  great  error. 
For  one  main  reason  why  sin  becomes  more  heinous 
after  repeated  obligations  to  the  contrary  is,  be- 
cause it  is  committed  with  greater  deliberation,  and 
against  clearer  conviction :  when,  therefore,  a  man 
who  believes  religion,  and  understands  the  obliga- 
tions ti  lays  upon  him,  omits  this  duty  for  no  other 
reason,  but  that  he  may  sin,  as  he  thinks,  with  less 
danger,  his  sins  are  then  equally  deliberate,  and 
against  equally  clear  conviction  ;  and  he  moreover 
adds  to  them  a  contemptuous  neglect  of  one  of  the 
best  means  of  becoming  better. 

In  order,  therefore,  to  make  this  short  discourse 
more  useful  upon  so  important  a  subject,  I  shall 
reduce  it  to  the  following  method. 

Firsts  I  shall  inquire  into  those  obligations  that 
lie  upon  all  Christians  to  receive  the  Holy  Commu- 
nion,  and  to  frequent  the  Christian  sacrifice. 

Secondly,  I  shall  show  what  preparation  is  neces- 
sary to  perform  this  duty  after  an  acceptable  manner. 


The  Obligations  to  frequent  Communion.      15 

Thirdly,  I  shall  endeavour  to  ansiver  some  objec- 
tions against  frequent  communion. 

Fourthly,  I  shall  lay  before  you  the  great  advan- 
tages of  frequent  communion. 

■  Fifthly,  I  shall  show  the  particular  care  the 
Church  of  England  has  taken  to  prevent  the  profa- 
nation of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Sixthly,  I  shall  add  some  directions  as  to  the 
manner  of  performing  it,  with  suitable  devotions  on 
such  occasions. 

First,  I  shall  inquire  into  those  obligations  that 
lie  upon  all  Christians  to  receive  the  Holy  Commu- 
nion, and  to  frequent  the  Christian  sacrifice. 

The  first  argument  for  the  performance  of  this 
Christian  duty  arises  from  the  positive  command  of 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  the  author  of  our  religion. 
It  is  from  this  Anointed  of  the  Lord,  that  we  are 
denominated  Christians,  which  implies  a  firm  belief 
of  those  doctrines  which  He  has  revealed,  and  a 
stedfast  purpose  of  mind  to  perform  those  pre- 
cepts which  He  has  commanded;  we  moreover 
solemnly  promised  in  our  vow  of  baptism,  to  go- 
vern all  our  actions  by  the  rule  of  his  holy  Gospel. 
Therefore  to  persist  in  the  neglect  of  a  plain  law 
of  our  Lord  and  Master,  sufficiently  made  known 
to  us,  is  no  ways  consistent  with  our  engagement, 
nor  with  that  character  we  profess  of  being  his 
disciples.  Besides,  our  obedience  in  this  parti- 
cular pays  a  peculiar  regard  to  his  authority;  for 
this  duty  being  a  positive  injunction,  receives  all 
its  force  from  his  right  to  command.  Now  that 
our  Saviour  has  made  it  the  duty  of  all  Christians 
to  frequent  his  commemorative  sacrifice,  is  plain 
from  the  history  of  its  institution,  in  the  close  of 
which  our  Saviour  adds  this  positive  injunction.  Do 

this  in  remembrance  of  me.     By  which,  ^  ,        ..  ,„ 
^111         A         .1  11-1  Luke  xxu   19. 

as    the    noly    Apcstles     were    obliged 

to  do  to  others  as  our  Saviour  had  done  to  themj 


16      The  Obligations  to  frequent  Communion, 

viz.  to  bless,  break,  and  give  the  bread  to  all  that 
joined  with  them  in  these  holy  services ;  so  were 
all  Christians  hereby  engaged  to  receive  from  them 
and  their  successors  these  symbols  of  Christ's  body 
and  blood.  By  this  precept,  therefore,  the  com- 
munion of  Christ's  body  and  blood,  as  represented 
by  bread  and  wine  in  the  holy  sacrament,  is  made 
the  standing  memorial  of  his  death  and  sufferings, 
in  all  Christian  assemblies,  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
St.  Paul,  who  received  from  the  Lord  himself  what 
He  taught  concerning  this  holy  institution,  repeats 
the  same  command,  This  do  in  remem- 
hrance  of  me.  And  if  we  consider  the 
circumstances  of  this  command,  it  will  still  have  a 
greater  influence  upon  us  ;  for  it  was  given  by  our 
best  Friend,  and  greatest  Benefactor,  when  He  was 
about  to  lay  down  his  life  for  our  sakes.  They 
are  as  it  were  his  dying  words  to  all  his  sincere 
disciples  and  followers;  and  therefore  ought  to  be 
received  with  the  greatest  respect  and  deference 
imaginable.  In  pursuance  of  this  precept,  we  find 
the  first  Christians   did    not   continue  more  sted- 

fastly  in  the  Apostles*  doctrine  than  they 
Acts  11.  42.  -^        •     *    1     •  J   T.        7  ' 

communicated    in   prayer  ana  breaking 

of  bread.  It  being  well  known,  that  the  public 
worship,  the  synaxis  of  the  ancient  Christians,  con- 
sisted of  these  three  parts,  of  hearing  God's  word, 
of  prayers,  and  of  commemorating  of  Christ  in  the 
eucharist. 

The  second  argument  for  the  performance  of  this 
Chri.stian  duty  arises  from  the  nature  of  the  duty 
itself.  It  is  a  piece  of  worship  appropriated  to 
the  Christian  religion,  by  which,  in  a  peculiar  man- 
ner, we  profess  ourselves  followers  of  the  blessed 
Jesus.  The  Heathens  and  Mahometans  offer  up 
prayers  and  praises  to  God,  and  by  the  light 
of  nature  apply  themselves  to  Infinite  Power  for 
the  relief  of  their  necessities,  and  return  their 
thanks  to   Infinite  Goodness,  as  the  source  from 


The  Ohligations  to  frequent  Commuiiion.      17 

whence  they  receive  all  their  blessings.  The  Jews, 
by  slaying  of  beasts,  and  by  burning  incense,  invo- 
cated  God,  and  praised  and  blessed  Him  for  those 
mercies  of  which  they  partook.  But  Christians 
only  set  before  God  bread  and  wine  in  the  eucha- 
rist,  as  figures  or  images  of  the  'precious  hlood  of 
Christ  shed  for  us,  and  of  his  precious  body,  as  it 
is  expressed  in  the  Clementine  liturgy.  And, 
therefore,  we  cannot  be  said  so  properly  to  wor- 
ship as  Christians,  as  when  we  join  in  those  sacred 
mysteries  that  Christ  has  made  peculiar  to  his  own 
religion  ;  and  it  cannot  be  imagined,  that  it  should 
be  at  our  own  disposal,  whether  we  would  perform 
it  or  no,  when  it  was  ordained  as  the  pecuHar  ser- 
vice of  Christians,  to  distinguish  them  from  all 
other  worshippers  of  the  Deity;  and  as  the  prin- 
cipal act  whereby  we  partake  of  the  sacrifice  of 
Christ  made  upon  the  cross,  and  without  which 
our  public  service  wants  its  due  perfection.  Upon 
which  account  the  primitive  Christians  (at  least  for 
a  time  in  some  places)  on  no  day  held  their  public 
assemblies  without  this  Christian  sacrifice,  Justin 
Martyr,  in  his  Second  Apology,  instances  this 
sacred  ordinance,  as  a  constant  part  of  the  Lord's- 
day  service;  and  there  is  no  great  doubt,  but  that 
each  Lord's-day  was  that  status  dies,  that  set  time, 
on  which  Pliny  tells  the  emperor  Tra- 
jan  the  Christians  in  Bithynia  met  ^  '^'  'P' ' '* 
together  to  bind  themselves  with  an  oath  not  to 
steal  or  rob,  or  withhold  what  was  deposited  with 
them,  or  commit  any  sort  of  wicked- 
ness. And  long  after,  in  the  time  of  ^^j^'^^^f '  ^^ 
St.  Basil,  who  commends  a  daily  com- 
munion, he  shows  us  how  near  the  practice  in  his 
days  came  to  it:  the  Christians  then  not  only  com- 
municated  constantly  four  times  a  week,  hut  on  other 
days,  lihen  they  celebrated  the  memory  of  any  mar- 
tyr. And  the  faithful  that  joined  in  all  other 
parts  of  the  public  worship,  never  failed  in  par- 


18      The  Obligations  to  frequent  Communion. 

taking  of  the  blessed  sacrament.  What  opinion 
the  ancient  Christians  had  of  those  that  turned  their 
backs  upon  this  holy  ordinance,  may  be  collected 
.  from  one  of  those  canons  which  are  called 
Apostolical ;  whereby  all  the  faithful  that 
came  to  their  public  assemblies,  and  heard  the  holy 
Scriptures,  and  did  not  continue  to  partake  of  the 
holy  Sacrament,  were  liable  to  be  separated  from  the 
communion  of  Christians. 

The  third  argument  for  the  frequent  performance 
of  this  Christian  duty,  arises  from  the  great  benefits 
that  are  annexed  to  the  luorthy  participation  of 
this  holy  ordinance.  By  the  nature  of  our  circum- 
stances in  this  world,  we  are  surrounded  with  a 
variety  of  temptations,  no  condition  of  life  being 
free  from  the  assaults  of  our  spiritual  enemies. 
So  that  it  but  too  frequently  happens,  that  we 
become  a  prey  to  their  attempts,  and  are  prevailed 
upon  to  transgress  our  duty.  Now,  when  we  are 
brought  to  a  sense  of  our  follies,  and  our  souls  are 
pierced  with  an  unfeigned  sorrow  for  having  com- 
mitted them,  what  surer  method  have  we  to  pro- 
cure our  pardon  from  God,  than  by  shelving  forth 
the  Lord^s  death,  by  representing  his  bitter  passion 
to  the  Father,  that  so  He  would,  for  his  sake,  ac- 
cording to  the  tenor  of  his  covenant  in  Him,  be 
favourable  and  propitious  to  us,  miserable  sinners? 
"We  all  know,  by  fatal  experience,  how  unable  we 
are  of  ourselves  to  do  any  thing  that  is  good ;  but 
this  heavenly  banquet  is  the  food  and  nourishment 
of  our  souls  ;  it  gives  new  life  and  vigour  to  our 
pious  resolutions,  and  conveys  power  and  strength 
to  perform  our  duty.  We  are  convinced  that  the 
satisfactions  of  this  life  can  never  complete  our  hap- 
piness: but  this  holy  Sacrament  inspires  a  hope 
to  be  made  equal  to  angels  ;  and  no  less  than  the 
kinsjdom  of  heaven  is  hereby  made  our  inheritance. 
So  that  a  man  must  be  very  insensible  of  his  own 
interest  that  neglects  one  of  the  best  instruments 


Measures  of  the  Duty  to  frequent  Communion.  19 

of  advancing  his  spiritual  welfare  ;  and  what  can 
the  concern  of  the  whole  world  promise  us,  com- 
pared to  the  advantage  of  such  gracious  vouch- 
safements  ?  Neither  is  it  probable,  that  a  man 
should  retain  a  very  grateful  sense  of  those  stu- 
pendous blessings  purchased  for  us  by  the  death 
of  Christ,  when  he  refuses  to  give  such  an  easy 
instance  of  a  thankful  heart.  If,  therefore,  we  pay 
any  regard  to  the  positive  command  of  our  Saviour; 
if  we  are  concerned  to  proclaim  to  the  world  that  we 
are  really  the  disciples  of  Jesus ;  if  we  are  solici- 
tous about  growing  in  grace,  and  desire  above  all 
things  the  improvement  of  our  minds  in  all  Chris- 
tian virtues,  and  breathe  after  a  life  without  sor- 
row, and  without  sin,  we  must  constantly  attend 
this  holy  ordinance,  from  whence  we  may  expect 
the  pardon  of  our  sins,  and  all  the  other  benefits 
of  Christ's  passion. 

And  when  we  are  once  convinced  of  these  obli- 
gations that  enforce  the  practice  of  this  duty,  we 
must  take  care  never  to  turn  our  backs  upon  this 
holy  ordinance.  The  truest  measure  of  our  duty 
in  this  particular,  is  to  be  taken  from  those  oppor- 
tunities which  the  good  providence  of  God  affords 
to  us  for  this  purpose-;  there  being  no  better  way 
of  determining  the  frequency  of  our  obligation  to 
receive,  than  this  of  God's  giving  us  the  oppor- 
tunity. According  to  this  rule  the  primitive 
Christians  practised ;  who  never  withdrew  them- 
selves from  the  Lord's  Supper,  when  it  made  a 
part  of  the  public  worship.  And  it  is  in  the  com- 
munion of  the  Sacrament,  as  it  is  in  the  communion 
of  prayers,  and  other  parts  of  public  worship,  we 
are  bound  to  join  in  them  when  opportunities  offer 
for  the  performing  them,  and  we  are  not  otherwise 
lawfully  hindered.  Whoever,  therefore,  shall  ne- 
glect to  communicate,  and  retire  from  the  holy 
table  when  the  heavenly  banquet  is  there  prepared, 
either  does  not  thoroughly  understand  his  duty  in 


20  The  Nature  of  Preparation 

this  particular,  or  must  be  very  defective  in  the 
performance  of  it.  For,  as  the  Exhortation  before 
the  Communion  suggests  to  us:  Who  would  not 
think  it  a  great  injury  and  wrong  done  to  him,  if 
he  had  prepared  a  rich  feast,  and  decked  his  table 
with  all  kind  of  provision,  so  that  there  lacked 
nothing  but  the  guests  to  sit  down,  and  yet  that  they 
who  were  called,  without  any  cause,  should  most 
unthankfuUy  refuse  to  come  ?  And  how  can  it  be 
imagined,  that  a  man  has  a  true  love  for  his  Sa- 
viour, or  a  grateful  sense  of  his  sufferings,  that 
shall  refuse  to  make  a  thankful  remembrance  of 
them,  when  our  Saviour  has  commanded  it,  and 
the  providence  of  God  offers  him  the  opportunity  ? 
1  shall  conclude  this  head  with  the  judgment  of 
two  eminent  fathers,  St.  Chrvsostom  and  St.  Am- 
brose, whereby  we  may  guess  at  the  sense  of  the 
Greek  and  the  Latin  Church  in  relation  to  this 
practice.  The  first,  St.  Chrysostom,  delivers  him- 
self after  this  manner  :  He  ivlio  does  not  allow 
himself  in  the  practice  of  any  known  sin,  ought 
every  day  to  approach  the  holy  table  ;  but  it  is  not 
safe  for  him  who  has  contracted  a  habit  of  sinning, 
and  does  not  sincerely  repent  thereof,  to  communi- 
cate even  upon  the  greatest  festival.  St.  Ambrose 
gives  us  his  opinion,  by  way  of  advice,  in  these 
words,  concerning  the  holy  sacrament:  Receive 
daily  what  will  be  of  daily  advantage  to  you :  so  live, 
that  you  may  be  Jit  to  receive  every  day  :  for  he 
that  is  not  Jit  to  receive  every  day,  is  not  Jit  to  re- 
ceive once  a  year. 

Secondly,  I  shall  show  what  preparation  is  ne- 
cessary to  perform  this  duty  after  an  acceptable 
manner. 

When  we  speak  of  preparation  for  the  holy  sa- 
crament, we  suppose  the  candidates  to  have  been 
educated  in  the  belief  of  the  Christian  relip^ion; 
that  they  have  taken  upon  themselves  the  solemn 
vow  made  at  their  baptism  ;  that  they  are  instructed 


for  frequent  Communion.  2\ 

in  what  is  necessary  for  a  Christian  to  believe  and 
practise  ;  and  that  they  have  in  some  measure  per- 
formed those  engagements  which  they  solemnly 
ratified  at  their  confirmation.  And,  therefore,  I 
think  it  very  advisable,  before  any  one  makes  his 
first  communion,  that  he  should  consult  the  priest 
of  his  parish,  that  he  may  be  satisfied  how  far  he 
has  complied  with  those  obligations  he  has  lain 
under  to  faith  and  obedience,  and  may  be  further 
examined  as  to  those  qualifications  that  make  a 
man  a  fit  guest  at  the  Lord's  table.  And  then 
the  requisite  preparation  will  consist  in  understand- 
ing what  is  the  nature  and  end  of  that  holy  action, 
and  in  the  actual  exercise  of  such  Christian  virtues 
of  which  they  are  supposed  to  have  laid  a  founda- 
tion in  the  former  course  of  their  lives. 

T\\Q  first  part  of  preparation  consists  in  the  in- 
forming ourselves  carefully  in  the  nature  and  end 
of  this  sacred  institution;  inquiring  what  is  meant 
by  this  holy  action,  and  to  what  purpose  this 
blessed  sacrament  was  ordained.  This  necessary 
knowledge  once  attained,  is  a  standing  qualification 
in  all  our  future  communions  ;  and,  therefore,  we 
ought  to  take  the  more  pains  to  settle  right  notions 
in  our  minds  concerning  this  matter,  because  they 
will  be  serviceable  to  us  in  all  the  remaining  part 
of  our  lives.  In  order  to  this  purpose,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  read  over  the  history  of  the  institution 
of  this  Christian  sacrifice,  as  recorded  jyj^^^  xxvi  17  '>6 
by  the  Evangelists :  and  by  St.  Paul  Mark  xiv.  12.  20. 
in  his  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  Luke  xxii.  7. 19. 
who  received  what  he  taught  in  ^  ^^*"'  ^'*  ^'*' 
this  matter  by  a  divine  revelation.  St.  Matthew's 
account  of  it  is  this — That  as  our  Saviour  and  his 
disciples  were  eating  the  passover,  Jesus  took  bread 
and  blessed  it,  and  brake  tt,  and  gave  it  to  the  dis- 
ciples, and  said,  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body.  And 
he  took  the  cup^  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave  it  to 
them,  saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  it,  for  this  is  my  blood 


22  The  Holy  Communion 

of  the  New  Testament,  which  is  shed  for  many  for 
the  remission  of  sins.  But  I  say  unto  you,  I  will 
not  drink  henceforth  of  this  fruit  of  the  vine,  until 
that  day  I  drink  it  new  with  you  in  my  Father  s 
kingdom.  And  when  they  had  sung  an  hymn,  they 
went  out  into  the  Mount  of  Olives.  St.  Mark 
makes  the  same  relation,  and  St.  Luke  and  St. 
Paul  concur  in  the  same  particulars,  with  the 
addition  of  this  positive  injunction.  Do  this  in 
remembrance  of  me.  From  which  places  it  will 
appear,  that  when  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  cele- 
brated the  Jewish  sacrifice  of  the  passover  with 
his  disciples  a  little  before  his  sufferings,  he  sub- 
stituted the  Sacrament  of  his  body  and  blood  as 
the  true  Christian  sacrifice,  in  the  room  of  the 
passover  :  and  ordained  it  as  a  rite  to  invocate  his 
Father  by,  instead  of  the  manifold  and  bloody  sa- 
crifices of  the  law,  and  to  be  a  means  of  supplica- 
tion and  address  to  God  in  the  New  Testament, 
as  they  were  in  the  Old.  To  which  end  our  Sa- 
viour first  offers  up  the  creatures  of  bread  and 
wine  to  God,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  his  sove- 
reignty ;  by  taking  the  bread  and  wine  into  his 
sacred  hands ;  by  looking  up  to  heaven,  and  giving 
thanks  ;  and  then,  by  blessing  the  elements,  He 
makes  them  the  symbols  of  his  body  and  blood, 
and  distributed  them  to  his  disciples,  to  eat  and 
drink  them  in  commemoration  of  Him.  So  that 
the  design  of  instituting  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  to  constitute  a  Christian  sa- 
crifice, wherein  God  mystically  entertains  man  at 
his  own  table,  in  token  of  amity  and  friendship 
with  him  ;  which  that  he  might  do,  the  bread  and 
wine  are  offered  to  God,  to  acknowledge  Him  Lord 
of  the  creatures  ;  and  accordingly,  in  the  ancient 
Church,  they  were  laid  on  the  holy  table  by  the 
priest,  (as  they  are  still  ordered  to  be  done  by  the 
rubric  in  the  Church  of  England,)  and  tendered 
to  God  by  this  short  prayer,  Lord,  we  offer  thy 


the  Christian  Sacrifice.  23 

ozvn  out  of  ivhat.  Thou  hast  bountifully  given  us ; 
which  by  consecration  being  made  symbols  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ,  we  thereby  represent  to 
Grod  the  Father  the  passion  of  his  Son,  to  the  end 
that  He  may,  for  his  sake,  according  to  the  tenor 
of  his  covenant  in  Him,  be  favourable  and  propitious 
to  us  miserable  sinners.  That  as  Christ  intercedes 
continually  for  us  in  heaven,  by  representing  his 
death  and  satisfaction  to  his  Father;  so  the  Church 
on  earth,  in  like  manner,  may  approach  the  throne 
of  grace,  by  representing  Christ  unto  his  Father 
in  these  holy  mysteries  of  his  death  and  passion. 
That  what  every  Christian  does  mentally  and  vo- 
cally, when  he  recommends  his  prayers  to  God  the 
Father,  through  Jesus  Christ,  making  mention  of 
his  death  and  satisfaction ;  that  in  the  public  ser- 
vice of  the  Church  is  done  by  this  rite,  which  our 
Saviour  commanded  in  commemoration  of  Him. 

The  incense  and  mincha,  or  the  offering  prophe^ 
sied  of  by  Malachi  (ch.  i.  11),  whereby  God's  name 
was  to  he  great  among  the  Gentiles,  is  applied  by 
the  primitive  fathers  to  this  Christian  sacrifice,  or 
solemn  worship  in  the  eucharist,  taught  by  our 
blessed  Saviour  to  his  disciples,  to  be  observed  by 
all  that  should  believe  in  his  name.  The  incense, 
which  denotes  the  prayers  of  the  saints,  represent- 
ing the  spiritual  part  of  the  Christian  sacrifice, 
which  is  prayer,  thanksgiving,  and  commemoration  ; 
the  mincha,  or  offering,  representing  the  material 
part  thereof,  which  is  at  present  of  bread  and  wine, 
which  may  very  well  be  called  Oi  pure  offering,  not 
only  in  respect  of  Christ,  whom  it  signifies  and 
represents,  who  is  a  sacrifice  without  all  spot, 
blemish,  and  imperfection  :  but  in  respect  of  that 
purity  of  conscience  and  freedom  from  malice, 
with  which  it  was  to  be  offered.  For  it  is  in  that 
singular  purity,  that  the  Christian  oblation  differs 
from  that  of  the  Jews,  who  were  not  prohibited  to 
offer  sacrifices  and  other  gifts,  though  they  were 


24}  The  Holy  Communion 

at  enmity  with  one  another.  And  it  is  reasonable 
to  think  that  the  ground  for  introducing  the  kiss  of 
charity  in  the  apostolical  times  was,  that  Christians 
might  express  their  mutual  love  and  freedom  from 
malice,  when  they  approached  the  altar. 

The  ancients  held  the  oblation  in  the  eucharist 
to  be  answerable  in  some  respects  to  the  legal  sa- 
crifices. They  believed  that  our  blessed  Saviour 
ordained  the  sacrament  of  the  eucharist,  as  a  rite  of 
prayer  and  praise  to  God,  instead  of  the  manifold 
and  bloody  sacrifices  of  the  law.  That  the  legal 
1  Sam  vii  9  sacrifices  were  rites  to  invocate  God 
xiii.  12.    *  by,    and   for   praising   and   blessing 

Ez.  vi.  10.  Him  for  his  mercies,  is  evident  from 

Prov.  XV.  8.  Scripture.  Instead,  therefore,  of  slay- 

2Chron.  XXIX.  27.  .        ^r  ^  i    i  •         •  *^ 

mg  01   beasts,  and  burnmg  mcense, 

whereby  they  praised  God  and  called  upon  his 
name,  under  the  Old  Testament,  our  Saviour  under 
the  New  appointed  this  Sacrament  of  bread  and 
wine,  as  a  rite  whereby  to  give  thanks  and  make 
supplication  to  his  Father  in  his  name.  That  as 
the  legal  sacrifices  were  types  and  shadows  of  the 
great  sacrifice  on  the  cross,  and  had  a  relation  to 
Christ  that  was  to  come  ;  so  the  Christian  sacrifice 
of  bread  and  wine  looks  back,  and  has  a  relation  to 
Christ  that  was  crucified. 

There  was  also  among  the  Jeivs  an  ancient  tradi- 
tion, as  has  been  observed  by  learned  men,  That 
in  the    time    of   the  Messias  all  sacrifices  should 
ceas,  but  that  of  bread  and  wine.     And  this  obla- 
tion of  the  bread  and  wine  is  implied  in  St.  Paul's 
parallel  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the  sacrifices  of 
the  Gentiles  :    You  cannot,  says  he,  be 
partakers  of  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  table    of  devils ;    because  they  imply  contrary 
covenants,  incompatible  one  with  the  other.     Now 
here  it  is  manifest,  that  the  table  of  devils  is  so 
called,   because   it   consisted   of  meats   offered   to 
devils,  whereby  those   that  eat  thereof  eat   of  the 


the  Christian  Sacrifice,  25 

devirs  provision;  therefore  the  table  of  the  Lord 
is  called  his  table  ;  not  only  because  He  ordained  it, 
but  because  it  consisted  of  meats  offered  to  Him. 
The  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  He- 
brews, St.  Paul,  insinuates  the  same  ^^'  ^"''  ' 
thing:  fVe  have  an  altar ^  saith  he,  whereof  they 
have  no  right  to  eat  which  serve  the  tabernacle.  By 
which  it  is  plain  there  was  an  altar  in  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  besides  that  in  the  Jewish  temple, 
and  consequently  a  sacrifice,  not  only  the  spiritual 
one  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  but  the  material 
one  of  bread  and  wine,  sufficiently  signified  by  the 
word  eating.  The  first  Christian  writer  after  the 
apostles,  St.  Clement,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Corin- 
thians, uses  the  phrase,  offering  the  gifts y  for  the 
administration  of  the  Sacrament;  and  that  the 
succeeding  writers  in  the  Christian  Church  observed 
the  same  style  is  clearly  proved  by  the  learned  and 
pious  Mr.  Mede,  in  his  Christian  Sacrifice,  Hence 
we  may  observe,  that  the  holy  Sacrament  consists 
of  two  parts,  the  earthly ^  which  are  the  elements 
of  bread  and  wine ;  and  the  heavenly ^  which  is  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  descending  at  the  time  of 
consecration,  and  sanctifying  the  bread  and  wine 
with  the  divine  virtue  of  Christ's  body  and  blood. 
For  though,  as  Theodoret  speaks.  The  symbols  of 
our  Lord's  body  and  blood,  after  the  prayer 
of  consecration,  are  changed  and  become 
other;  yet  they  depart  not  from  their  own  nature, 
for  they  remain  in  their  former  essence,  and  figure, 
and  shape,  and  are  visible,  and  sensible,  such  as 
before  they  were.  And  the  priest  that  ofiiciated  in 
the  ancient  Church  not  only  rehearsed  the  evan- 
gelical history  of  the  institution  of  this  holy  Sacra- 
ment, and  pronounced  these  words  of  our  Saviour, 
This  is  my  body,  this  is  my  blood;  but  he  offered  up 
a  prayer  of  consecration  to  God,  beseeching  Him 
that  He  would  send  doivn  his  Holy  Spirit  upon  the 
bread  and  wine  presented  unto  Him  on  the  altar,  and 
[96]  c 


26  The  Power  of  Adviimstering 

that  He  would  so  sanctify  them,  that  they  might 
become  the  body  and  blood  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ ; 
not  with  respect  to  the  gross  substance,  but  only  as 
to  the  spiritual  energy  and  virtue  of  his  holy  flesh 
and  blood,  communicated  to  the  blessed  elements 
by  the  power  and  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  de- 
scending upon  them ;  whereby  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ  is  verily  and  indeed  taken  and  received  by 
the  faithful  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  This  prayer  is 
found  in  all  the  ancient  liturgies. 

And  as  this  Christian  sacrifice  was  designed  to 
render  God  propitious  to  us,  by  representing  to 
Him  the  merits  of  our  Saviour's  sufferings,  so  it 
was  instituted  to  be  a  standing  monument  of  the 
infinite  love  of  our  Saviour,  in  djing  for  us;  and 
by  eating  and  drinking  at  God's  table,  according  to 
Christ's  appointment,  to  fix  in  our  souls  the  me- 
mory of  those  invaluable  blessings  He  has  purchased 
for  us,  and  to  communicate  to  all  worthy  receivers 
the  benefit  of  his  sacrifice  upon  the  cross  ;  upon 
which  account  it  is  called  the  communion  of  his  body 
arid  blood.  And  it  was  moreover  ordained  to  be  a 
bond  of  union,  to  knit  Christians  together  in  the 
same  fellowship  and  communion.  Thus  the  infinite 
love  of  Christ  appeared  not  only  in  giving  Himself 
to  die  for  us,  but  in  so  far  complying 
Exhort,  before  ^{^\^  i\^q  weakness  of  our  nature,  as  to 
Sacrament.  institute  and  ordain  holy  mysteries  as 
pledges  of  his  love,  and  for  a  continual 
remembrance  of  his  death,  to  our  great  and  endless 
comfort. 

And  since  we  live  in  an  age  that  is  inclinable  to 
make  all  the  inherent  powers  in  the  priesthood  to  be 
the  effects  oi priestcraft,  and  that  others  take  upon 
them  to  sign  and  seal  covenants  in  God's  name, 
who  have  received  no  commission  to  that  purpose, 
it  will  be  fit  for  every  man  that  prepares  him- 
self for  this  holy  ordinance,  to  consider  who  has 
the  power  of  administering  this  holy  Sacrament ; 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  ^Ti 

whether  laymen,  as  well  as  clergymen  that  have 
received  their  commission  by  succession  from  the 
apostles.  This  consideration,  I  am  sure,  will  be  of 
great  comfort  to  the  faithful  members  of  the  Church 
of  England,  which  has  preserved  the  ancient  apos- 
tolical government,  and  the  primitive  orders  in  a 
due  subordination,  whereby  they  are  secured  of  a 
right  and  truly  canonical  ministry. 

Now  to  satisfy  ourselves  In  these  inquiries,  we 
must  observe,  that  in  the  first  institution  of  this 
Sacrament,  it  was  celebrated  by  our  Lord  and 
Master  Jesus  Christ ;  He  blessed  the  bread  and 
wine,  and  gave  both  to  his  disciples  ;  and  He  Him- 
self was,  as  the  Apostle  calls  Him,  the  High  Priest 
over  the  house  of  God.  And,  indeed,  the  design  of 
the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  seems  to  be,  to  show  us 
the  difference  between  the  two  covenants,  the  na- 
ture of  the  Levitical  and  evangelical  priesthood, 
what  necessity  there  was  of  a  change  from  the  one 
to  the  other;  that  the  evangelical  was  after  the 
order  of  Melchisedec ;  that  our  Saviour  was  the 
High  Priest  of  that  order,  and  that  this  honour  he 
took  not  to  himself,  hut  was  called  of  God  to  it,^  as 
well  as  Aaron  was  to  his.  The  Sacrament  being 
thus  instituted,  and  the  elements  being  consecrated 
by  a  priest  at  the  first  celebration  of  it,  the  Apos- 
tles kept  close  to  their  Master's  institution ;  being 
commanded  to  do  the  same  in  remembrance  of  Him; 
they  consecrated  the  elements,  and  gave  them  to 
the  people,  as  He  before  did  to  them;  and  the 
same  did  the  Bishops,  their  successors  after  them, 
and  those  that  they  appointed.  Arid  this  was  so 
constantly  and  universally  practised  in  these  early 
times,  that  one  instance  is  not  to  be  brought  to  the 
contrary. 

Besides,  the  very  nature  of  a  Sacrament  requires 

commissioned  ofl[icers  for  the  administration  of  it. 

For  sacraments  being  seals  of  the  covenant  of  grace, 

of  that  covenant  between  God  and  man,  which  our 

c2 


28  Power  of  Administering  the  Holy  Sacrament. 

Saviour  purchased  for  us,  and  confirmed  with  his 
blood  :  who  can  seal  this  covenant,  unless  such  as 
are  empowered  by  God  to  transact  with  us  in  his 
name  ?  On  our  part,  to  offer  up  our  prayers  and 
supplications  to  Him  ;  and  on  his,  to  bless  us,  to 
absolve  us  from  our  sins  upon  repentance,  and  to 
seal  the  pardon  of  them,  by  admitting  us  to  partake 
of  these  holy  mysteries. 

To  this  end  the  Apostles  were  careful  in  provid- 
ing good  men  to  succeed  them  in  their  ministry ; 
St.  Paul  was  earnest  with  Titus  to  ordain  elders  in 
every  city,  and  with  Timothy,  to  lay  hands  sud- 
denly on  no  man;  and  in  his  epistles  to  both  he 
describes,  and  that  nicely  too,  the  qualifications 
of  those  that  were  to  be  admitted  to  ecclesiastical 
orders.  In  the  Church  of  Corinth  there  were  pro- 
phets and  teachers,  helpers  and  governors.  Now 
what  need  was  there  of  this  distinction,  and  of  this 
great  care  and  caution  in  conferring  orders,  if  they 
had  no  particular  powers  to  exercise,  and  that 
every  layman  had  an  equal  right  to  dispense  them? 
..  Our  Church,  in  asserting  the  sw^r^wacy 
'  of  sovereign  magistrates,  has  declared  that 
the  ministering  either  of  God's  word,  or  of  the 
sacraments,  is  not  given  to  princes,  because  they 
are  not  invested  with,  nor  have  a  sovereign  disposal 
of  the  power  of  orders. 

But  the  practice  of  the  Christian  Church  from 
the  beginning  of  Christianity  is  too  solid  and  sub- 
stantial an  argument  to  be  confuted  by  art  and 
sophistry.  St.  Clement,  in  his  Epistle 
^\^^'  P-  ^*  to  the  Corinthians,  tells  us,  when  the 
Apostles  planted  Churches,  they  made 
the  first  fruits  of  those  they  converted.  Bishops  and 
Deacons  over  those  that  should  afterwards  believe. 
And  that  as  the  Priests  have  the  proper  services 
appointed  them,  appertaining  to  their  mi- 
^^^  nistries,  so  the  layman  is  confined  within 

the  hounds  of  what  is  commanded  to  laymen.     And 


Pious  Qualifications  for  frequent  Communion.    29 

ill  another  place  lie    speaks    to  this  purpose :  All 
those  duties  which  the  Lord  hath  commanded 
us   to   dOi  we   ought  to  do  them  regularly  • ' 

and  orderly :  our  oblations  and  divine  services,  to 
celebrate  them  on  set  and  appointed  times.  For  so 
hath  He  ordained,  not  that  we  should  do  them  at 
hap-hazard,  and  without  order,  but  at  certain  de- 
terminate days  and  times ;  where  also  and  by  whom 
He  will  have  them  executed.  Himself  hath  defined 
according  to  his  supreme  will.  St.  Ignatius,  who 
was  disciple  to  St.  John,  and  Bishop  of  Antioch, 
in  his  Epistle  to  the  Smyrnaeans,  p.  6,  is  more  ex- 
press to  this  purpose :  Let  no  man  do  any  thing, 
says  he,  of  what  belongs  to  the  Church,  without  the 
Bishop:  Let  that  eucharist  he  esteemed  firm  and 
valid,  which  is  either  administered  by  the  Bishop, 
or  by  him  whom  he  authorizes :  Wheresoever  the 
Bishop  shall  appear,  there  the  people  ought  to  be; 
as  where  Jesus  Christ  is,  there  is  the  Catholic 
Church.  It  is  not  lawful  without  the  Bishop,  either 
to  baptize  or  to  celebrate  the  holy  communion ;  for 
whatsoever  he  shall  approve,  that  will  be  acceptable 
to  God,  to  the  end  that  whatsoever  is  done  may  be 
regular  and  of  force. 

I  would  only  desire  those  that  are  too  apt  to 
attack  the  Christian  priests,  as  the  rebellious  princes 
did  Moses  and  Aaron,  by  insinuating  that  they  take 
too  much  upon  them  ;  and  by  demanding,  wherefore 
they  lift  up  themselves  above  the  congre-  ^  , 
gation  of  the  Lord ;  to  be  mindful  of 
their  punishment,  and  to  consider  how  severely 
God  revenged  their  insolence,  in  causing  the  earth 
to  open  her  mouth,  and  to  swallow  up  them  and  all 
their  adherents. 

The  second  part  of  preparation  consists  in  those 
pious  dispositions  of  mind  which  qualify  us  to  re- 
ceive this  Sacrament  after  a  worthy  manner,  and 
make  us  fit  guests  at  the  Lord's  table.  And  there- 
fore when  we  plead  the  merit  of  Christ's  death  and 
c   6 


30  Pious  Qualifications  for  frequent  Communion, 

passion  before  God  the  Father  in  this  Christian 
sacrifice,  it  ought  to  be  accompanied  with  a  most 
thankful  acknowledgment  of  those  great  blessings 
our  Saviour  has  purchased  for  us  by  his  sufferings, 
and  with  a  public  proclaiming  to  all  the  world  the 
great  sense  we  have  of  such  invaluable  kindness. 
With  a  hearty  repentance  for  all  the  sins  we  have 
been  guilty  of,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed;  for  this 
was  the  end  of  his  death,  to  reconcile  us  to  God,  by 
...  turning  us  from  our  iniquities.     With 

firm   resolutions    of  better    obedience ; 
for  He  gave  Himself  for  us,  to  purifj  to  himself  a 
..  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works. 

With  an  entire  resignation  of  our  souls 
and  bodies  to  be  a  reasonable,  holy,  and  lively  sacri- 
fice unto  Him;  for  He  has  the  justest  claim  to  us, 
because  He  purchased  us  at  the  price  of 
^^'  ^*   *  *      his  own  blood.    With  a  constant  endea- 
vour to  make  some  proficiency  in  all  the  virtues  of 
the  Christian  life ;  because  He  has  obtained  for  us, 
by  the  merits  of  his  sufferings,  the  grace  and  assist- 
,    ..  ance  of  God's  Holy  Spirit,  to  work  in 

^^  ■  "*  "■  us  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  plea- 
sure. With  a  readiness  of  mind  to  be  reconciled 
to  all  those  that  have  offended  us,  because  when  we 

ivere  enemies  tve  were  reconciled  to  God 
Rom.  V.  10.        ^y  ^j^^  j^^^j^  ^j^j^-^  g^^^^      ^yj^^^  j^^^^^y 

and  sincere  love  and  charity  to  our  brethren,  con- 
tributing all  we  can  to  the  relief  of  Christ's  poor 
distressed  members,  by  reason  He  was  so  liberal 
of  his  inestimable  blood  for  us.  Lastly,  with  the 
purity  of  our  inte?ition,  sincerely  aiming  at  and 
designing  to  answer  all  those  ends  and  purposes  for 
which  this  holy  Sacrament  was  ordained  ;  and  not 
merely  to  comply  with  custom,  and  to  qualify  our- 
selves for  a  profitable  employment. 

But  then  it  must  be  noted,  that  all  these  qualifi- 
cations are  the  same  that  we  are  obliged  to  acquire 
by  our  baptismal  vow,  and   are    necessary  in    the 


The  Duty  of  Self-examination.  31 

course  of  a  Christian  life,  and  in  the  use  of  all  other 
means  of  grace.  For  except  we  confess  our  sins 
with  an  humble,  penitent,  and  obedient  heart,  and 
are  ready  to  forgive  those  that  have  offended  us, 
and  ask  with  faith,  even  our  prayers  and  praises 
will  find  no  acceptance  at  the  throne  of  grace.  In- 
deed, charity  and  good  will  towards  all  men  was 
always  thought  so  necessary  a  qualification  for  the 
celebration  of  this  Christian  sacrifice,  that  in  the 
ancient  Church,  at  the  very  entrance  thereunto, 
the  deacon  was  wont  to  proclaim,  Let  no  man  have 
ought  against  his  brother :  and  this  practice  was 
founded  upon  our  Saviour's  ordinance,  in  his  divine 

sermon  upon  the  mount.  If  thou  bring- 

^  j7         -/-^   J     ^7        7^  7   ^7  Matt.  V.  23, 24. 

est  thy  gift  to  the  attar,  and  there  re- 

memberest  that  thy  brother  hath  ought  against  thee, 
leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way; 
first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come 
and  offer  thy  gift.  Which  scripture,  in  the  sense 
of  the  primitive  Church,  was  taken  to  be  an  evange- 
lical constitution,  implying,  by  way  of  anticipation, 
that  our  Saviour  v^^ould  leave  some  rite  to  his  Church 
instead,  and  after  the  manner  of  the  sacrifices  of  the 
law,  which  should  begin  with  an  oblation,  as  they 
did  ;  and  that,  to  require  this  proper  and  peculiar 
qualification  in  the  offerer,  to  be  at  peace,  andivith- 
out  enmity  with  his  brother;  insomuch  that  Irenseus 
seems  to  place  that  purity  of  the  evan- 
gelical  oblation,  prophesied  of  hy  j^jyj^^jJ^-^^^Pj  j  * 
Malachi,  principally  in  this  requisite. 
And  besides  this,  the  only  duty  the  Scripture  seems 
to  make  peculiar  to  the  receiving  the  holy  Sacra- 
ment, is  self-exarai7iation.  This  is  St.  .  _  .  __ 
^     y,      ^.        .  ,    ^  -1  Cor.  XI.  28. 

Pauls   du'ection,   Let  a  man  examine 

himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink 
of  that  cup ;  which,  if  taken  in  the  largest  sense, 
for  searching  into  the  state  of  our  souls,  in  order  to 
know  how  far  we  believe  and  practise  what  is  re- 
quired of  us,  and  to  amend  for  the  future  what  has 
c  4 


3S  The  Duty  of  Self-examination 

been  amiss  in  our  past  conduct,  is  certainly  obligin^:^ 
at  other  limes,  as  well  as  before  the  Sacrament;  and 
it  is  impossible  a  Christian  should  govern  his  life 
with  that  necessary  care  and  watchfulness  that  is 
required,  without  practising  of  it  very  frequently. 
And  yet  I  believe,  if  the  sense  of  St.  Paul  be  im- 
partially weighed  in  that  matter,  it  will  appear  that 
the  examination  he  recommends  is  not  that  of  our 
state  and  condition  towards  God,  and  of  our  duty  in 
general,  but  an  examination  of  our  manner  of  eating 
the  Lord's  Supper  by  Chrisffi  institution  of  it^  to 
see  whether  our  behaviour  comports  with  the  rules 
of  the  institution,  and  with  the  end  for  which  it  was 
instituted.  For  to  remedy  the  disorders  that  were 
in  the  Church  of  Corinth,  in  the  administration  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  he  sets  before  them  Christ's 
institution  of  the  holy  Sacrament,  that  they  might 
acquaint  themselves  with  the  manner  and  end  pro- 
posed in  the  partaking  of  it ;  so  that  by  that,  every 
one  might  examine  his  comportment  therein,  whe- 
ther conformable  to  that  institution,  and  suited  to 
that  end.  In  the  account  St.  Paul  gives  of  Christ's 
institution,  he  remarks,  that  eating  and  drinking  in 
the  Sacrament  was  no  part  of  common  eating  and 
drinking  for  hunger  and  thirst,  but  to  represent 
Christ's  body  and  blood,  to  be  eaten  and  drank  in 
remembrance  of  Him;  or,  as  the  Apostle  expounds 
it  himself,  to  show  forth  the  Lord's  death.  He  more- 
over observes,  that  this  was  done  by  all  who  were 
present,  united  together  in  one  company  at  the  same 
time.  All  which  put  together,  shows  what  the  exa- 
mination here  proposed  relates  to ;  for  the  design  of 
the  Apostle  being  to  reform  those  abuses  he  found 
fault  with  in  their  celebrating  the  Lord's  Slipper; 
it  is  by  that  alone  we  must  interpret  the  directions 
he  gives  concerning  it,  if  we  will  suppose  he  talked 
pertinently  to  the  subject  in  hand,  which  was  to 
reduce  the  Corinthians  from  the  irregularities  they 
were  run  into  in  this  matter.     And  if  the  account 


before  the  Holy  Communion,  33 

of  Christ's  institution  be  not  brought  in  for  their 
examining  their  carriage  by  it,  and  their  adjusting 
their  comportment  to  it,  it  will  be  hard  to  find  a 
reason  for  what  purpose  it  is  here  mentioned. 

From  whence  we  may,  therefore,  gather  what 
that  unworthy  receiving  was,  which  is  condemned 
in  the  Corinthians  by  St.  Paul,  and  what  was  the 
punishment  annexed  to  it  :  it  was  their  disorderly 
and  irreverent  participation  of  the  Lord's  Supper ; 
it  was  their  eating  and  drinking  after  an  unworthy 
manner,  without  a  due  regard  to  the  manner  and  end 
of  that  holy  institution  ;  without  a  due  respect  had 
to  the  Lord's  body,  in  a  discriminating  and  purely 
sacramental  use  of  the  bread  and  wine  that  repre- 
sented it :  it  being  the  custom  of  the  Christians  in 
the  apostolical  times  to  receive  the  holy  eucharist 
after  t\\Q\v  feasts  of  charity ^  wherein  the  rich  and 
the  poor  were  wont  to  eat  together  with  great 
sobriety  and  temperance  ;  in  the  Church  of  Corinth 
this  method  was  not  observed  ;  the  poor  were  not 
admitted  to  this  common  feast ;  for  in  eating,  every 
one  took  before  each  other  his  own  supper ;  so  that 
when  some  wanted,  others  were  guilty  of  scandalous 
excess,  and  gross  intemperance  :  and  the  effect  of  it 
was,  they  did  not  discern  the  Lord's  body.  They 
made  no  difference  between  the  Sacrament  and  a 
common  meal ;  between  what  was  to  sustain  their 
bodies,  and  what  was  to  nourish  their  souls.  So  that 
to  eat  the  bread,  and  drink  of  the  cup,  in  the  holy 
Sacrament,  without  a  due  and  direct  discrimination 
had  to  the  Lord's  body,  by  separating  the  bread  and 
wine  from  the  common  use  of  eating  and  drinking 
for  hunger  and  thirst,  was  to  eat  unworthily.  The 
punishments  annexed  to  these  offences  were  infir- 
mities, sickness,  and  temporal  death,  with  which 
God  corrected  them,  that  they  might  not  be  con- 
demned with  the  unbelieving  world.  By  which  it 
appears,  that  temporal  judgments  must  be  under- 
stood by  the  word  our  translators  render  damnation. 
c  5 


34  The  Persons  not  qualified 

Though  if  these  temporal  judgments  had  not  pro- 
duced amendment  and  reformation,  such  a  contempt 
of  holy  things  might  have  made  them  obnoxious  to 
the  eternal  judgment  of  God. 

Now,  it  appears  farther,  by  the  nature  of  these 
punishments,  that  the  examination  St.  Paul  recom- 
mends, referred  to  the  institution  of  the  Sacrament ; 
for  if  the  unworthiness  here  spoken  of  was  either 
unbelief,  or  any  of  those  sins  which  are  usually 
made  the  matter  of  examination,  it  is  to  be  pre- 
sumed the  Apostle  would  not  wholly  have  passed 
them  over  in  silence  :  this,  at  least,  is  certain,  that 
the  punishment  of  these  sins  is  infinitely  greater 
than  that  which  God  here  inflicts  on  unworthy 
receivers,  whether  they  who  are  guilty  of  them 
receive  the  Sacrament  or  no. 

That,  then,  which  makes  a  man  absolutely  unfit 
to  receive  the  holy  Sacrament,  besides  ignorance  of 
the  meaning  of  that  holy  institution,  is  the  living 
in  the  constant  habitual  practice  of  any  known  sin 
without  repentance.  Such  a  man's  approach  to 
the  holy  table  would  be  a  mocking  of  God,  and  a 
great  contempt  of  his  authority ;  and  though  the 
ancient  discipline  of  the  Church  is  at  a  low  ebb 
among  us,  yet  there  is  still  power  to  debar  such 
scandalous  and  open  sinners  in  the  com- 

Can.  XXVI.  .  j  ^'      i  i        ^ 

munion,  and  a  particular  order  to  pa- 
rochial ministers  not  to  admit  such.  But  then  it 
ought  to  be  observed,  that  this  impenitent  state 
makes  our  prayers  also  an  abomination  to  the  Lord  ; 
for  to  profess  ourselves  sorry  for  our  sins,  and  re- 
solved to  forsake  them,  when  we  have  no  sense  of 
the  one,  nor  are  determined  to  do  the  other,  is  the 
greatest  afi'ront  imaginable  to  our  Maker;  by  sup- 
posing, that  either  He  does  not  know  our  hearts,  or 
that  He  will  be  pleased  when  we  draw  near  to  Him 
with  our  lips,  though  our  hearts  are  far  from  Him. 
There  is  a  case,  indeed,  wherein  I  think  a  man 
may    be  supposed   qualified  to  attend  the  public 


for  frequent  Communion,  S5 

prayers  of  the  Church,  and  yet  that  it  may  be  fit 
for  him  to  abstain  from  approaching  the  altar; 
which  is,  when  a  man  first  rises  by  unfeigned  re- 
pentance from  a  deplorable  fall  into  some  grievous 
sin,  the  first  scene  of  his  penitential  sorrows  should 
pass  in  the  exercise  of  mortification  and  self-denial, 
and  some  time  may  be  necessary  to  prove  the  sin- 
cerity  of  his  return  to  his  duty.  And  this  is  agree- 
able to  the  discipline  of  the  Church  in  the  primitive 
times,  when,  whoever  was  found  guilty  of  any 
scandalous  fault,  was,  according  to  the  nature  of 
the  offence,  debarred  the  communion  a  shorter  or  a 
longer  time  ;  so  that  it  will  very  well  become  the 
modesty  of  a  penitent,  in  these  loose  times,  wherein 
the  Christian  discipline  is  relaxed,  to  exercise  it 
upon  himself;  it  being  reasonable  that  the  sense 
of  any  heinous  crime  lately  committed  should  so  far 
humble  and  mortify  us  as  to  make  us  ready  and 
willing  to  impose  this  penance  upon  ourselves,  as 
thinking  ourselves  for  some  time  unworthy  to 
participate  in  the  highest  and  most  solemn  act  of 
religion. 

In  short,  the  best  preparation  for  the  Sacrament 
is  a  constant  endeavour  to  live  as  becomes  that  holy 
religion  we  profess.  For  they  who  really  believe 
the  Christian  religion,  and  sincerely  govern  their 
lives  by  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel  of 
the  blessed  Jesus,  have  all  that  substantial  prepara- 
tion that  qualifies  them  to  partake  in  this  holy 
ordinance,  and  ought  to  receive  at  any  time  when 
there  is  an  opportunity,  though  they  were  not 
beforehand  acquainted  with  it.  Indeed,  when 
they  have  a  foresight  of  their  communicating,  it  is 
very  advisable  they  should  trim  their  lamps,  exa- 
mine the  state  of  their  minds,  renew  their  repent- 
ance, exercise  their  charity,  enlarge  their  devotions, 
spiritualize  their  affections ;  and,  in  order  to  this, 
should  retire  from  business  and  pleasure,  as  far  as 
the  nature  of  their  circumstances  will  admit;  that 
c  6 


36  The  Objection  of  Unworthiness 

by  prayer,  fasting,  and  alms-deeds,  their  minds  may 
be  raised  to  relish  spiritual  enjoyments.  But  still 
great  care  must  be  taken,  that  when  a  man  is 
habitually  prepared,  he  does  not  impose  upon  him- 
self so  much  actual  preparation  as  shall  make  him 
lose  an  opportunity  of  receiving  the  holy  Sacra- 
ment when  he  has  not  had  time  to  go  through  with 
that  method  he  has  prescribed  to  himself. 

Thirdly,  I  shall  endeavour  to  answer  some  objec- 
tions against  frequent  communion. 

Object.  1.  The  ^r*^  usual  objection  men  make 
is,  that  they  are  unworthy  to  receive  the  holy  Sa- 
cra7nent,  and  consequently  if  they  approach  God's 
table,  they  shall  eat  and  drink  damnation  to  them- 
selves. 

Answ,  If  this  objection  is  made  by  such  who  live 
in  a  course  of  wickedness,  it  is  certain,  as  long  as 
they  resolve  to  continue  such,  they  are  very  unfit 
to  approach  these  holy  mysteries ;  while  they  are 
at  open  defiance  with  God  Almighty,  break  all  his 
laws,  and  refuse  all  ofifers  of  reconciliation,  they 
ought  not  to  be  admitted  as  guests  at  God's  holy 
table ;  and  if  the  discipline  of  the  Church  were  re- 
stored, which  is  founded  upon  the  laws  of  Christ 
and  his  Apostles,  and  sufliciently  explained  to  us 
by  primitive  practice,  such  refractory  sinners  should 
be  excommunicated,  and  thrown  out  of  the  com- 
munity of  Christians,  and  not  to  be  re-admitted  till 
they  had  given  public  testimonies  of  their  sorrow 
and  repentance.  But  all  men  easily  see  the  vanity 
of  this  excuse,  because  one  fault  can  never  justify 
the  commission  of  another. 

But  if  this  objection  is  made  by  devout  people 
to  excuse  their  not  frequenting  the  Christian  sacri- 
fice, they  must  consider  that  this  argum.ent,  pushed 
home,  ought  to  hinder  them  from  ever  communi- 
cating. For  if  men  take  the  word  unworthy  in  a 
strict  sense,  for  such  persons  as  no  way  deserve 
those  great  benefits  that  are  offered  and  conferred 


for  frequent  Communion.  37 

in  the  holy  Sacrament,  no  man  should  ever  receive 
at  all,  because  no  man  deserves  any  thing  at  God's 
hands,  much  less  those  invaluable  blessings  pur- 
chased for  us  by  Christ's  death  ;  and  yet  they  that 
make  the  objection  do  venture  at  some  great  solem- 
nities to  approach  these  holy  mysteries;  which 
makes  it  wonderful  how  they  can  reconcile  this 
their  notion  of  unworthiness  with  their  practice  of 
receiving  at  such  seasons ;  or  else  they  must  have 
at  those  times  a  better  opinion  of  themselves  than 
is  consistent  with  Christian  humihty.  But  there  is 
a  great  difference  to  be  made  between  deserving 
that  favour,  and  receiving  that  favour  after  a  worthy 
and  fit  manner.  We  may  have  no  merit  to  pro- 
cure us  such  benefits  as  may  be  conferred  upon  us  ; 
and  yet  if  we  receive  them  with  a  great  sense  of 
gratitude,  acknowledging  the  bounty  of  the  Giver, 
with  a  great  sense  of  our  own  demerit,  owning  they 
are  infinitely  above  our  deserts,  with  care  and  diH- 
gence  to  receive  them  in  the  way  and  manner  pre- 
scribed, and  with  resolutions  of  making  the  best 
returns  we  are  capable  of ;  we  may  be  truly  said  to 
receive  such  favours  after  a  worthy  manner,  though 
we  are  never  so  unworthy  of  the  benefits  them- 
selves. 

The  unworthy  eating  and  drinking^  condemned 
by  St.  Paul  in  the  Corinthians,  has  been  already 
explained,  with  the  punishment  annexed  to  it ; 
which  will  certainly,  if  seriously  considered,  abate 
those  fears  which  but  too  often  possess  devout 
souls ;  and,  if  they  are  in  earnest,  will  be  able  to 
turn  their  fears  quite  on  the  contrary  side,  and 
make  them  apprehensive  of  provoking  God,  by 
neglecting  a  positive  command  of  our  Saviour's  by 
Him  laid  upon  all  Christians. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  we  must  be  perfect 
and  strong  grown  Christians  before  we  partake  of 
these  divine  mysteries;  it  is  enough  we  sincerely 
desire  to  be  such  :  and  if  so,  we  shall   find  the 


38  Objections  against 

frequent  use  of  the  holy  Communion  to  be  the  most 
effectual  means  to  that  purpose.  We  are  here  in  a 
vale  of  tears  ;  where  shall  we  seek  for  comfort  but 
from  the  source  of  all  joy  and  satisfaction  ?  We 
are  surrounded  with  a  multitude  of  temptations  ; 
where  shall  we  find  strength  to  resist  them  but  in 
this  divine  armoury  ?  We  are  loaded  with  many 
imperfections,  and  sometimes,  by  negligence  or 
surprise,  fall  a  prey  to  the  tempter :  what  so  pro- 
per to  wash  away  our  stain,  as  that  precious  inesti- 
mable blood,  which  was  shed  to  that  very  end  and 
purpose  ?  So  that  the  very  sense  of  our  unworthi- 
nessy  if  rightly  applied,  should  quicken  our  zeal  in 
approaching  frequently,  that  we  might  become 
better. 

Object.  2.  Some  object.  That  the  frequent  use  of 
the  holy  Sacrament  may  be  apt  to  abate  and  dimi- 
nish that  reverence  and  respect  which  men  ought  to 
have  for  it. 

Answ.  This  objection  is  founded  upon  the  expe- 
rience men  have,  that  their  familiarity  and  intimate 
converse  with  men  and  things  in  this  world  is  apt 
to  diminish  their  value  and  respect  for  them ;  not 
considering  that  it  is  quite  the  contrary  in  spiritual 
things,  the  frequent  use  whereof  is  the  likeliest 
means  to  increase  our  veneration  and  respect  to- 
wards them.  An  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  the 
good  things  of  this  world  may  very  well  lessen  our 
esteem  of  them,  because  it  convinces  us  they  do  not 
administer  that  happiness  which  they  promise  :  but 
the  more  we  employ  ourselves  in  spiritual  exercises, 
we  find  they  produce  a  satisfaction  that  rises  above 
what  we  expected,  or  worldly  men  can  imagine. 
The  better  we  know  men,  the  more  we  discover 
their  frailties  and  imperfections  ;  at  a  distance  we 
see  only  the  brightness  of  their  good  qualities,  but 
a  closer  correspondence  acquaints  us  with  their 
failings ;  and  therefore  our  famiharity  with  the 
best  of  men  may  be  apt  to  abate  that  respect  we 


frequent  Communion.  39 

paid  them  at  a  distance,  by  reason  of  that  mixture 

of  frailty  which  accompanies  their  ojreatest  virtues. 

I  But  the  oftener  we  converse  with  God  in  his  holy 

I  ordinances,   the  more  we  shall  admire  his  divine 

I  perfections,  and  the  more  we  shall  be  disposed  to 

'  conform  ourselves  to  his  likeness :  for  an  object  of 

[  infinite  perfection  in  itself,  and  of  infinite  goodness 

'   to  us,  will  always  raise  our  admiration,  and  heighten 

our  respect  and  esteem  the  more  we  contemplate 

it :  it  being  the  discovery  of  some  imperfection,  or 

some  flaw,  where  we  thought  there  was  none,  that 

lessens  our  esteem,  and  provokes  our  contempt. 

Object.  3.  Others  pretend,  That  the  custom 
of  frequent  communion  dimi?iishes  the  profit  and 
advantage  that  is  to  he  reaped  from  that  divine 
institution. 

Answ.  This  objection  is  founded  upon  the  un- 
happy temper  of  most  men,  who  are  apt  to  put  the 
greatest  value  upon  things  that  are  rare  and  un- 
common, and  to   neglect,   or  at  least   to   perform 
\actions  of  the  greatest  consequence  after  a  slight 
jand  careless  manner   when   they  frequently  occur. 
But  if  the  fear  of  falling  into  this  weakness  were  a 
sufficient  reason  to  abstain  from  frequent  commu- 
nion, it  w^ould  hold  with  as  much  force  against  fre- 
quent prayer,  which  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel  make 
necessary  ;  and,  therefore,  as  in  praying  often  we 
at  length  learn  to  pray  well,  so  in  frequently  re- 
ceiving the  holy  Sacrament,  that  fervour  and  appetite 
sensibly  increases,  which  is  so  necessary  to  make  us 
receive   with  advantage.     If  people  reap  no  profit 
I  from  their  frequent  communions,  the  fault  must  be 
I  laid  upon  the  negligence  of  their  lives,  and  upon 
I  the    slight  care  they  take  in  the  examination  of 
I  their  consciences :  and  if,  upon  a  strict  inquiry,  they 
'  find    any  secret   sin   unrepented  of,  any  habitual 
neglect  of  their  duty,  this  great  bar  to  the  influence 
of  grace  must  be  removed.     And  if,  after  that,  they 
still  make  the  same  complaint,  they  must  consider 


40     Frequent  Communion  useful  and  profitable. 

what  they  mean  by  unprofitableness  ;  for  it  is  cer- 
tain, if  we  bring  a  right  temper  of  mind,  the  body 
and  blood  of  Christ  in  the  Sacrament  is  of  great 
profit  and  advantage  to  us.     If  we  are  penitent,  it 
seals  to  us  the  pardon  of  our  sins  ;  if  we  are  sincere, 
it    fortifies    our    resolutions ;     if    we    believe,   it 
strengthens  our  faith  ;  and  if  we  are  real  and  in 
earnest,  it  inflames  our  charity  ;  but  if  we  think  it 
must  cure  us  of  all  those  imperfections  which  are 
inseparable  from  the  frailty  of  our  nature,  we  de- 
ceive ourselves.    The  best  of  Christians  groan  under 
the  perverseness  and  impotence  of  corrupt  nature. 
Or  if  we  expect   always   those  heavenly  joys  and 
raptures  which  God  is  pleased  sometimes  to  com- 
municate to  his  faithful  and  devout  servants,  we  are 
too  presumptuous  ;  God  may  deny  us  those  fore- 
tastes of  bliss  to  keep  us  humble,  and  to  quicken 
our  industry  to  attain  them  ;  and  if  God  does  not 
communicate    Himself  to  us   after  that  way  and 
manner  our  shallow  reason  thinks  most  desirable, 
it  does  not  become  us  to  lay  any  blame  upon  this 
divine  ordinance,  which  is  certainly  in  itself  the 
most  efficacious  means  tomake  us  justand  charitable, 
pious  and  devout.    And  they  that  owe  their  ardours 
:  at  the  altar  to  their  seldom  approaching  the  holy 
,  table,  have  too  much  reason  to  conclude  they  are 
i  more  affected  from   the  rarity  and  unusualness  of 
.  the  action,  than  from  the  divine  virtue  that  flows 
■  from  it ;  like  those  that  converse  seldom  with  men 
,  of  great  quality  and  title,  the  awe  they  feel  of  their 
\  greatness  proceeds  more  from  their  not  being  used 
;  to  frequent  their  company  than  from  the  opinion 
of  their  true  worth  and  dignity.      So   that  these 
people  seem  rather  to  be  under  the  power  of  nature 
than  the  influences  of  grace. 

I  am  sure  experience  will  inform  us,  that  the 
devoutest  ages  of  the  Church  were  those  wherein 
the  practice  of  frequent  communion  most  prevailed. 
Never  was  there  so  much  fervour  and  strictness  of 


Objections  against  frequent  Communion.      41 

piety,  as  when  the  faithful  met  daily  at  the  Lord's 
table.  And  in  the  accounts  we  have  of  the  greatest 
saints,  never  any  one  excelled  in  the  virtues  of  the 
Christian  life  but  what  distinguished  himself  by 
frequently  nourishing  his  soul  with  this  heavenly 
banquet. 

Nay,  I  dare  appeal  to  those  holy  souls  who  live 
under  a  strict  sense  of  their  duty  in  this  particular, 
and  embrace  all  opportunities  which  the  providence 
of  God  offers  them  to  commemorate  the  ineffable 
love  of  their  dying  Redeemer  ;  whether  they  do  not 
find  themselves  more  determined  to  be  just  in  all 
their  dealings,  and  readier  to  relieve  the  necessities 
of  the  poor  ;  whether  their  affections  to  the  world 
do  not  lose  ground,  and  their  desires  towards 
heaven  do  not  grow  more  intense  and  vigorous  ; 
whether  their  passions  are  not  more  calm,  and  their 
patience  and  submission  to  the  will  of  God  more 
evident  and  conspicuous ;  whether  they  are  not 
sensible  of  less  fondness  for  life,  less  earnestness 
for  trifles,  less  desire  of  glory,  less  eagerness  for 
profit,  and  less  concern  for  whatever  the  world  most 
esteems  ? 

Object.  4.  It  is  farther  objected.  That  men  of 
great  business^  either  in  public  or  private  affairs, 
may  justly  be  excused  Jrom  frequent  communion^ 
because  they  have  not  leisure  to  prepare  for  it. 

Answ.  Any  business,  though  lawful  in  its  own 
nature,  yet  if  prosecuted  to  such  a  degree  as  to 
take  men  off  from  the  care  of  their  souls,  ought  to 
be  laid  aside,  because  the  salvation  of  our  souls  is 
of  much  greater  consequence  than  any  affair  that 
relates  to  this  world  ;  and  wuse  men  proportion  their 
care  of  a  thing  according  to  its  worth  ;  they  do  not 
spend  their  time  upon  trifles,  and  neglect  what  may 
be  of  the  greatest  consequence.  I  suppose  they  who 
make  this  objection  design  to  be  saved,  and  there- 
fore must  own  that  their  souls  are  of  greater  worth 
than  their  bodies,  and  that   they  must  certainly 


42      Objections  against  frequent  Communion. 

find  a  time  to  die,  however  careless  and  negligent 
they  may  be  in  making  a  due  preparation  for  it. 
But  besides,  the  care  of  our  temporal  concerns, 
and  our  duty  to  God,  are  ver}^  consistent.  A  great 
deal  of  business,  and  the  duties  of  religion,  may 
stand  together,  provided  we  govern  our  affairs  by 
Christian  principles.  For  though  such  men  have  not 
leisure  for  so  much  actual  preparation,  yet  they  may 
have  all  that  habitual  preparation  upon  which  the 
great  stress  ought  to  be  laid  in  this  matter.  Nay, 
even  the  conscientious  discharge  of  their  business 
is  an  admirable  qualification  for  receiving  the  sacra- 
ment. A  man  is  serving  God  when  he  follows  his 
calling  with  diligence,  and  observes  justice  and 
equity  in  all  his  dealings,  when  he  manages  the 
affairs  of  the  public  with  fidelity  and  honesty  ;  with- 
out selling  justice,  without  oppression,  and  without 
sacrificing  them  to  his  private  interest.  And  the 
greater  dangers  and  temptations  he  is  exposed  to, 
the  greater  need  he  has  of  God's  grace  and  assist- 
ance, which  is  abundantly  communicated  in  this 
holy  ordinance.  When  we  travel  in  ways  frequented 
by  robbers,  we  go  in  well-armed  and  united  com- 
panies, that  we  may  be  the  better  able  to  defend 
ourselves.  So  that  the  man  of  business,  who  has 
any  serious  thoughts  of  another  world,  ought  more 
especially  to  lay  hold  on  such  opportunities,  which 
may  secure  him  against  those  dangers  he  daily  con- 
verses with,  and  which  may  fortify  him  against  those 
watchful  enemies  that  lie  in  wait  to  destroy  him. 
For  as  they  who  have  leisure  ought  frequently  to 
receive  the  holy  communion,  as  the  best  improve- 
ment of  their  time  ;  so  they  that  are  engaged  in 
many  worldly  affairs  ought  to  come  often  to  the 
Sacrament,  and  learn  how  to  sanctify  their  employ- 
ments. 

Rubric  after  Object.  5.  Others  think  they  satis/?/ 
the  Commu-  their  duty  in  this  particular ^  if  they 
iiion,ch.xxi.  QQj^ipiy  ^.iiii  i]iQ  command  of  the  Church, 


Objections  against  frequent  Communion,      43 

which  enjoins  three  times  in  the  year,  zvhereof  Eas- 
ier to  be  one,  and  so  think  themselves  excused  from 

frequent  communion. 

Answ.  These  objectors  against  frequent  commu- 
nion quite  mistake  the  sense  of  the  Church  in  this 
injunction,  who  in  her  exhortations  excites  us  to 
frequent  communion  ;  and,  therefore,  in  most  pa- 
rishes invites  us  at  least  every  month,  and  in  some 
churches  every  Sunday,  and  every  holy  day  ;  espe- 
cially in  cathedrals,  where  all  priests  and 
deacons  are  enjoined  at  least  to  receive  ^"^^^l^^H 
every  Lord's  day,  excejit  they  have  a  nion. 
reasonable  cause  to  the  contrary.  All 
that  she  says  is,  that  Christians  ought  to  communi- 
cate at  least  three  times  in  the  year,  as  if  that  was 
the  minimum  quod ;  that  is,  the  least  that  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  denominate  us  Christians  ;  which, 
if  w^e  neglect,  we  deserve  to  be  separated  from  that 
body,  whereof  Christ  is  the  head,  and  incur  the 
censures  of  the  Church,  which,  when  rightly  dis- 
pensed, are  very  terrible.  I  would  fain  know,  if  a 
physician  should  tell  a  man  that  just  so  much  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  maintain  life,  if  he  should 
eat  less  he  would  not  only  endanger  his  health,  but 
run  the  hazard  of  starving  himself;  whether  a  man 
that  confines  himself  to  such  a  method  would  be 
thought  to  be  in  love  with  life,  and  whether  those 
that  have  good  appetites  could  subsist  under  such  a 
discipline.  It  is  just  the  same  in  our  spiritual  life  ; 
so  many  times  communicating  preserves  us  from 
being  separated  from  the  body  of  Christ,  which  is 
the  life  of  a  Christian  :   except  we  are  members  of 

1  his  body,  we  cannot  in  any  ordinary  way  partake  of 

\  the  favourable  influences  of  the  head  ;  but  this  is 
not  enough  in  order  to  our  well-being.     It  is  a  sign 

j  that  we  are  very  weak  and  very  imperfect  Chris- 
tians if  we  have  so  small  an  appetite  for  this  spiri- 
tual food:  it  is  a  sign  we  have  little  relish  for  the 
things  of  God.     Let  us  call  to  mind  the  fervours  of 


4i  The  great  Advantages 

the  primitive  Christians,  who  made  the  commemo- 
ration of  our  Saviour  in  the  eucharist  a  constant 
part  of  their  public  worship.  As  the  primitive  piety 
decayed,  so  the  means  of  maintaining  it  were  less 
frequented;  and  it  was  the  bad  lives  of  Christians, 
and  their  total  neglect  of  communicating,  which 
made  the  Church  oblige  them  to  receive  at  some 
certain  times,  under  the  penalty  of  excommunica- 
tion. And  is  it  becoming  a  man  that  has  any  sense 
of  the  excellency  of  this  Christian  institution,  any 
value  for  the  privilege  of  being  a  disciple  of  the 
crucified  Jesus,  any  care  of  his  salvation,  an}  desire 
of  being  perfect  as  God  is  perfect,  to  excuse  him- 
self from  a  necessary  duty  by  an  injunction,  which 
was  introduced  by  the  indevotion  of  negligent  Chris- 
tians ?  It  is  not  enough  that  we  are  Christians; 
we  must  grow  in  grace,  and  the  man  of  God  must 
be  made  perfect ;  of  which,  when  we  are  once  con- 
vinced, we  shall  never  neglect  frequent  communion, 
because  it  is  the  most  effectual  means  of  attaining  it. 

Fourthly,  I  shall,  in  short,  lay  before  you  the 
great  advantages  of  frequent  communion. 

Our  intimate  converse  with  temporal  things,  and 
our  familiarity  with  the  delights  and  satisfactions 
of  sense,  are  but  too  apt  to  take  off  our  minds  from 
serious  thoughts,  and  to  impair  that  vigour  and 
resolution  which  ought  to  be  employed  about  the 
one  thing  necessary.  Now,  frequent  communion 
keeps  a  lively  sense  of  religion  upon  our  minds ,  and 
invigorates  them  with  fresh  strength  and  power  to 
perform  our  duty.  It  is  the  proper  nourishment  of 
our  souls,  without  which  we  can  no  more  maintain 
our  spiritual  life,  than  we  can  our  temporal  without 
eating  and  drinking. 

As  long  as  we  carry  these  frail  and  sinful  bodies 
about  us,  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  those 
constant  enemies  to  our  true  happiness,  will  be 
making  perpetual  assaults  upon  our  virtue,  and  using 
their  best  endeavours  to    corrupt   our   innocence. 


of  frequent  Communion.  45 

Now,  frequent  communion  is  the  sovereign  remedy 
against  all  their  temptations^  by  mortifying  our 
passions,  by  spiritualizing  our  affections  ;  for  how 
can  we  yield  to  any  sinful  satisfactions  that  crucified 
the  Lord  of  glory,  or  fix  our  hearts  upon  perishing 
objects,  when  God  only  deserves,  as  He  requires, 
the  whole  man  ? 

One  of  the  great  advantages  of  our  Christianity 
consists  in  being  made  members  of  Christ's  mystical 
body,  by  reason  of  those  happy  influences  we  derive 
from  our  head :  and  our  happiness  depends  upon 
our  enjoying  this  blessed  privilege.  Now,  frequent 
coxnmumon  preserves  this  spiritual  union  inviolable^ 
between  Christ  and  all  faithful  Christians  ;  by  a 
mutual  intercourse  of  goodness  and  compassion,  in 
pardoning  our  sins,  strengthening  our  feeble  virtues, 
and  in  communicating  heavenly  joys  and  foretastes 
of  happiness ;  and,  on  our  side,  by  repeated  acts  of 
adoration  and  thankfulness,  of  love  and  admiration, 
of  resignation  and  submission  to  his  holy  will,  and 
of  sincere  professions  of  constancy  and  perseverance 
in  his  service. 

We  are  convinced,  by  fatal  experience,  that 
either  through  surprise,  or  the  strength  of  tempta- 
tion, we  cannot  always  stand  upright;  that  we  do 
those  things  we  ought  not  to  have  done,  and  leave 
undone  the  things  which  we  ought  to  have  done. 
Now,  this  holy  Sacrament  perfects  our  repentance, 
and  ratifies  and  confirms  to  us  the  pardoji  of  our 
sins  ;  repairs  those  breaches  which  our  follies  have 
made  in  our  souls,  and  applies  to  us  in  particular 
that  satisfaction  which  our  Saviour  made  upon  the 
cross,  and  conveys  to  us  the  benefits  of  that  all- 
suflicient  sacrifice,  whereby  God  the  Father  is 
rendered  favourable  and  propitious  to  us  miserable 
sinners. 

In  this  vale  of  tears,  afflictions  and  calamities 
are  often  the  lot  of  the  best  of  men.  Now,  where 
shall  we  find   comfort  under  these  difficulties,  or 


46  The  Rules  of  the  Church 

strength  to  contend  with  thern^  but  from  that  pro- 
vision that  is  administered  at  God's  table ;  from 
those  sufferings  which  our  Saviour  endured  for  us, 
and  no  ways  deserved  Himself?  For  who  can  com- 
plain of  affliction  in  any  kind,  that  considers  what 
necessary  correctives  they  are  of  our  follies,  what 
noble  improvements  of  our  virtues,  and  what  a 
testimony  they  are  of  our  love  and  affection  to  the 
blessed  Jesus,  when  borne  with  patience  and  sub- 
mission ;  and  that  withal  remembers,  that  his  Lord 
and  Master  was  made  perfect  through  sufferings? 
Besides,  from  this  divine  nourishment  we  receive 
such  comfortable  impressions,  as  make  the  troubles 
\  of  this  life  lose  their  sting ;  and  it  supplies  us  with 
\  such  inward  delights  as  surpass  ail  expression,  and 
Kvhich  are  only  felt  by  those  that  frequently  make 
the  experiment. 

This  is  the  most  proper  method  to  make  our 
bodies  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  most 
effectual  means  to  fit  and  prepare  our  souls  for  the 
eternal  enjoyment  of  God. 

Fifthly,  I  shall  show  the  particular  care  the 
Church  of  England  has  taken  to  preveiit  the  profa- 
nation of  these  holy  mysteries. 

Such  is  the  wise  discipline  of  our  holy  mother, 
the  Church  of  England,  that  both  by  her  rubrics 
and  canons  she  trains  us  up,  by  gradual  steps, 
from  our  infancy  to  a  worthy  participation  of  this 
Christian  sacrifice.  For  in  our  baptism  she  re- 
quires sponsors  who  shall  stipulate  for  us,  and 
give  security  for  our  Christian  education  in  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  and  in  the  communion  of 
the  Catholic  Church  ;  they  being  engaged  not  only 
to  instruct  us  in  all  the  necessary  points 
Exhortation  at  ^f  faith,  but  are  charged  to  take  care, 

the  end  of  pub-        ^  Hu     j.\-    F  i        i  i  . 

lie  baptism.       when  we  are  fit,  that  we  be  brought 

to  i\\Q  Bishop  for  confirmation.    This  is 

an  additional  security  to  that  duty,  which  nature 

and  Christianity   have  laid   upon   parents,  and  a 


ahovt  Communicants,  47 

happy  provision  in  case  of  their  mortality.      And 
not  the    sureties   only,  but  the   parish   priest  or 
curate  is  particularly  enjoined  to  catechise^  to  in- 
struct, to  examine  the  youth,  and  the         ijx  i    i  • 
common  people,  in  the  principles  of  the 
Chrisiianreligion, according  to  the  Church  Catechism; 
which  Catechism  is  an  excellent  abridgment  of  all 
those  things  which  are   necessary  to  be  believed 
and  practised  in  order  to  the  welfare  of  our  souls. 
And  farther,   the   Church  requires  that  none   be 
presented  to  the  Bishop  for  confirma- 
tion, /z'//  they  can  give  an  account  of  their  fj^fcatecldsm. 
faith;  of  which  the  minister,  who  is  to 
present  them,  is  to  be  the  judge ;  and  not  even 
then  to  be  confirmed,  unless  the  Bishop  approves 
of  them,  which  supposes  some  trial  and  examina- 
tion on  his  part.     To  all  this  she  prudently  adds 
this  important  rule,  that  none  he  ad- 
mitted to  the  holy  communion,  until  such  ^j"^  Cummmion 
time  as  they  he  confirmed,  or  he  ready  or 
desirous  to  he  confirmed :  the  great  reason  whereof 
is,  that  she  may  be  satisfied,  that  those  who  pro- 
mised by  their  sureties  in  Baptism,  do  renew  and 
confirm  the  contract  then  made,  and  that  they  will 
evermore  endeavour   themselves  faithfully  to   ob- 
serve such  things  as,  by  their  own  confession,  they 
have   assented   unto.     And   still,    to   preserve    the 
dignity  of  the  holy  Sacrament,  her  ministers  are 
obliged,  according  to  the  direction  of  the  ancient 
canons,  as  well  as  our  own,  to  admit  Can.  xxvi. 
no  notorious  offenders  or  declared  schis-  xxvii. 
matics  to  the  participation  of  it.    That  this  method 
may  be  more  effectual,    and  that   no  unqualified 
person  may  surreptitiously  intrude,  strangers  from 
other  parishes  are  not  to  he  received  to  the 
holy  communion;  and  as  many  as  intend 
to  be  partakers  of  it,  shall  signify  their  j^^^^  ^j^^  ^y_ 
names  to  the  curate  at  least  some  time  the  brie  before  the 
day  bejore;  that  notorious  ill  livers  may  Communmi. 


48  The  Manner  of  receiving 

be  admonished  of  their  faults,  and  that  such 
as  live  in  malice  and  hatred,  and  are  at  variance 
with  one  another,  may  be  reconciled,  and  give 
proofs  of  their  repentance,  before  they  presume 
to  come  and  offer  their  gifts.  When  warning  is 
given  for  the  celebration  of  the  holy  communion, 
the  whole  congregation  is  put  in  mind  of  their  duty 
by  a  pathetical  exhortation.  And  if  any  have  such 
a  sense  of  their  sins,  that  they  cannot  quiet  their 
own  consciences,  the}^  are  advised  to  consult  their 
spiritual  guides,  and  to  open  their  grief,  that  they 
may  receive  ghostly  counsel  and  advice,  with  the 
benefit  of  absolution.  And  even  in  the  beginning 
of  the  communion  service,  the  priest  that  officiates 
lays  before  the  communicants  the  danger  of  un- 
worthy receiving,  and  invites  only  such  to  approach 
as  have  the  requisite  qualifications.  So  that  if 
pious  education,  if  the  solemn  ratifying  our  baptismal 
voWy  if  conference  with  bur  spiritual  guides,  if  a 
ipavticular  prohibition  of  notorious  offenders,  and  the 
earnest  exhortations  of  our  pastors,  can  secure  these 
holy  inysteries  from  being  abused,  it  must  be  owned 
our  Church  has  taken  sufficient  care  to  prevent  it. 
Let  them  only  consider  who  neglect  the  observance 
of  such  admirable  rules,  how  they  will  be  able  to 
answer  it  at  the  great  day ;  and  how  far  they  are 
guilty  of  those  profanations,  which  they  might 
prevent  by  a  due  discharge  of  what  the  Church 
requires  from  them,  and  which  they  are  under 
such  strict  obligations  to  observe  ;  and  how  far  they 
give  occasion  by  their  neglect  to  those  schisms, 
which  are  made  upon  the  pretence  of  the  scan- 
dalous practises  of  that  kind. 

Sixthly,  I  shall  add  some  directions  as  to  the 
manner  of  performing  this  duty  of  receiving  the 
holy  Sacrament,  with  suitable  devotions  on  such 
occasions. 

As  to  the  reverence  of  our  bodies,  our  outward 
behaviour  ought  to  be  governed  by  such  measures 


the  Holy  Sacrament.  49 

as  the  Church  directs.     For  this  reason,  as  well  as 
because  it  is  the  humblest  posture,  we  must  receive 
the  holy  Sacrament  upon  our  knees,  which  is  most 
proper,  when  we  are  at  the  same  time  making  our 
addresses  to  the  great  Majesty  of  heaven  and  earth. 
And  as  we  are   to  kneel  or  stand   as  the  Church 
directs,  so  I  think  it  is  fit  we  should  not  deviate 
from  some  devout  customs  that  are  so  established 
by  ancient  and  general  practice,  which  in  time  to 
come  may  have  the  force  of  a  law.     It  is  by  such 
rules  that  a  beautiful  uniformity  is  created  in  our 
deportment,  as  well  as  in  our  petitions.      And  all 
our  different  postures  ought  to  be  used  with  such 
gravity  and  seriousness  as  may  demonstrate  how 
intently  we  are  engaged  in  this  Christian  sacrifice  ; 
and  yet  without  such  affectations  and  particulari- 
ties as  are  apt  to  disturb  those  that  are  near  us, 
and  give  occasion  to  others  to  suspect  us,  as  acting 
a  formal  hypocritical  part.     To  this  end,  when  we 
put  our  bodies  into  a  praying  posture,  with  which 
I  think  leaning  and  lolling  seems  very  inconsistent, 
we  should  do  well,  when  upon  our  knees,  to  fix  our 
eyes  downward,  that  we  may  not  be  diverted  by 
any  objects  near  us  ;  at  the  same  time  resolving  not 
to  suffer  them  to  gaze  about,  whereby  they  do  but 
fetch  in  matter  for  wandering  thoughts.  A  farther 
help  to  this  attention  is  great  silence  ;   therefore  we 
should  never  join  aloud  with  the  minister,  but  where 
it  is  enjoined,  endeavouring  to  make  the  rest  our 
own,  by  a  hearty  Amen.    The  same  care  should  be 
taken  about  those  private  prayers  we  make  use   of 
at  the  altar,  which  ought   to    be  pronounced    so 
softly,  that  they  may  not  disturb   the  devotion  of 
our  fellow- Christians  that  are  near  us.     We  must 
particularly  remember,  not  to  repeat  after  the  mi- 
nister what  peculiarly  relates  to  his  office :  which 
I  mention   the  rather,   because   I  have  frequently 
observed  some  devout  people   following   him  that 
ofiiciates,  in  the  Exhortation  and  Absolution,  as  well 
[96]  D 


50     Manner  of  receiving  the  Holy  Sacrament, 

as  the  Confession  ;  which,  if  tlioroughly  considered, 
must  be  judged  a  very  absurd  and  improper  ex- 
pression of  the  people's  devotion,  because  a  distin- 
guishing mark  of  the  Priest's  office. 

As  to  the  reverence  of  our  minds,  it  ought  to  con- 
sist in  such  intenseness  and  application  of  thought^ 
as  may  engage  our  hearts  as  well  as  our  lips  in 
this  solemn  service  ;  in  such  fervency  of  affection, 
and  in  such  a  measure  o^  importuiiity ,  as  may  show 
how  desirous  we  are  of  the  mercy  which  we  re- 
quest, and  how  highly  we  value  and  esteem  what 
we  ask  for.  To  this  end  we  ought  with  great 
attention  to  accompany  the  man  of  God  that  ad- 
ministers, throughout  the  whole  office,  which  is 
admirably  framed  and  composed  to  express  all 
those  pious  dispositions  and  devout  affisctions, 
which  well-prepared  minds  ought  to  exercise  upon 
such  occasions.  Thus  our  repentance  in  the  Confes- 
sion and  Absolution ;  our  charity  in  relieving  our 
poor  brethren  by  a  liberal  offering,  in  praying  for 
all  conditions  of  men,  and  in  forgiving  those  that 
have  offended  us ;  our  humility  in  acknowledging 
our  own  unworthiness;  our  resolutions  of  better 
obedience  in  presenting  ourselves  reasonable,  holy, 
and  lively  sacrifices  unto  God;  our  praises  and 
thanksgivings  in  the  hymns,  and  devotions  after  the 
holy  communion  :  and  when  others  are  communi- 
cating, we  may  enlarge  ourselves  upon  these  sub- 
jects, always  taking  care  tliat  our  private  devotions 
give  place  to  those  that  are  public,  and  that  we 
may  lay  aside  our  prayers,  when  the  minister  calls 
upon  us  to  join  with  him. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  THE  ALTAR. 


When  the  sermon  is  ended,  we  should  endea- 
vour, as  soon  as  we  can,  to  compose  ourselves  for 
the  devout  celebration  of  the  Christian  Sacrifice  ; 
and  while  the  minister  is  preparing  himself  to  attend 
the  holy  table,  that  time,  before  the  communion 
office  begins,  may  be  well  employed  in  imploring 
God's  grace  to  assist  us  in  the  right  discharge 
of  that  holy  service  we  are  about  to  perform. 

A  Prayer  to  prepare  our  minds  for  the  devout  cele- 
bration of  the  holy  mysteries. 

Almighty  God,  by  whose  great  bounty  and 
infinite  goodness  I  have  now  an  opportunity  offered 
me  of  approaching  thy  altar,  and  of  pleading 
before  Thee  the  prevailing  merits  of  the  death  and 
passion  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  I  am  sensible,  O 
Lord,  of  my  great  unworthiness  to  partake  of  this 
Christian  sacrifice ;  but  the  positive  command  of 
my  blessed  Saviour,  when  He  was  about  to  lay  down 
his  life  for  my  sake,  has  made  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary ;  and  the  many  spiritual  wants  I  labour  under, 
oblige  me  to  apply  to  this  sovereign  remedy  to 
repair  those  breaches  my  sinful  follies  have  made 
in  my  soul. 

Assist  me,  therefore,  O  Lord,  with  thy  Holy 
Spirit  in  the  duty  and  service  I  am  about  to  per- 
form ;  grant  that  nothing,  during  all  the  time  of 
this  holy  action,  may  make  me  forfeit  that  reve- 
d2 


52  Devotions  f 07'  the  Altar, 

rence  and  respect  which  I  owe  unto  thy  divine 
majesty,  or  that  attention  which  becomes  the  cele- 
bration of  these  holy  mysteries.  Touch  me  with 
such  an  awe  of  thy  presence  as  may  fix  my  wan- 
dering thoughts,  compose  my  tumultuous  aifec- 
tions,  stir  up  mj  flat  and  cold  desires,  that  I  may 
feel  the  power,  and  taste  the  sweetness,  of  this 
divine  banquet. 

That  I  may  have  such  a  sense  of  mj  Saviour's 
sufferings,  as  may  fill  my  soul  with  love  and  grati- 
tude towards  Him  for  those  inestimable  benefits 
He  has  purchased  for  me  ;  that  I  may  have  such  a 
sight  of  my  sins  which  occasioned  all  his  sorrows, 
as  heartily  to  bewail  and  detest  them ;  such  a  faith 
in  that  full  perfect  oblation  and  satisfaction  made 
upon  the  cross  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  that 
I  may  so  importunately  plead  the  merit  of  it  in 
this  commemoration  of  that  sacrifice,  as  to  render 
Thee  gracious  and  propitious  to  me  a  miserable 
sinner;  such  a  conviction  of  my  own  weakness  and 
insufficiency,  as  may  procure  thy  gracious  aid  and 
assistance  ;  such  longing  desires  of  being  made 
conformable  to  thy  holy  will  and  pleasure,  as  may 
transform  me  into  thy  divine  image,  and  fix  me  to 
continue  thy  faithful  servant  all  the  remaining  days 
of  my  life. 

I  profess,  O  Lord,  a  firm  and  vigorous  resolution 
to  resist  all  impertinent  thoughts  or  wicked  sugges- 
tions that  may  any  ways  oppose  my  holy  purposes; 
I  will  never  consent  to  them  ;  my  sincere  design  is 
to  oflTer  Thee  a  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  ; 
to  love  and  adore  Thee  as  the  God  of  my  life,  as  my 
portion  which  I  have  chosen  in  the  land  of  the 
living;  and  which  I  humbly  beg  may  be  my  hap- 
piness to  all  eternity,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus 
Christ  my  Saviour.     Amen. 

The  Communion  Service  begins  with  some  sen- 
teiices  collected  out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  proper 


Devotions  for  the  Jltar,  53 

for  the  occasion  ;  which  do  with  great  energy 
enforce  the  duty  of  charity,  which  we  are  called 
upon  to  exercise  at  this  time.  The  oblations  of 
the  primitive  Christians  were  upon  such  occasions 
offered  in  such  great  abundance,  that  their  clergy 
were  thereby  liberally  maintained,  and  all  neces- 
saries provided  for  divine  administrations,  as  well 
as  for  the  relief  of  the  poor;  but  now  that  a  stated 
maintenance  is  settled  upon  those  that  wait  at  the 
altar,  these  collections  are  particularly  applied  to 
the  sup[)ort  of  the  necessitous. 

This  should  make  us  more  liberal  in  the  perform- 
ance of  our  alms-deeds  at  the  altar,  to  which  the 
following  sentences  exhort  us  both  from  command 
and  exarmple;  by  showing  us  how  reasonable  it  is 
in  itself,  how  acceptable  to  God,  and  how  pro- 
fitable to  us  both  in  this  life  and  the  next ;  by  re- 
presenting to  us  the  great  sin,  as  well  as  danger  of 
omitting  it.  They  farther  instruct  us  in  the  objects 
that  are  to  be  supported  by  our  oblations,  which  are 
the  clergy,  and  all  the  poor,  especially  Christians; 
in  the  measures  of  it,  liberality  and  cheerfulness; 
and  lay  down  the  end  we  ought  to  propose  to  our- 
selves, which  is  the  glory  of  God.  All  these  sen- 
tences are  read  by  the  minister  during  the  collec- 
tion, with  such  a  pause  generally  between  each 
text,  that  the  communicants  have  leisure  to  make 
a  short  meditation  upon  each  of  them,  of  which  I 
shall  give  an  example  for  the  assistance  of  those 
that  want  such  helps. 

1.  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that 
they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.     St.  Matt.  v.  16. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  set  that  example  of 

charity    to   my    neighbour  which    thou    requirest, 

that  it  may   redound    to    thy  honour  and  glory, 

from  whom  I  receive  the  power  to  do  any  thing 

D  3 


54  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

that  is  good,  and  that  by  such  visible  effects  of  thy 
grace,  my  neighbour  may  be  attracted  to  know 
and  love  thee. 

*2.  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasure  upon 
the  earthy  where  the  rust  and  moth  doth  corrupt^ 
and  where  thieves  break  through  and  steal ;  but 
lay  tip  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where 
neither  rust  nor  moth  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal.  St. 
Matt.  vi.  19,  20. 

I  renounce,  O  Lord,  all  inordinate  affections  to 
the  things  of  this  world,  which  are  fading  in  their 
nature,  and  liable  to  innumerable  accidents.  I 
will  fix  my  mind  upon  the  enjoyments  of  thy 
kingdom,  which  are  everlasting,  and  prepare  my- 
self for  them,  by  doing  good  to  the  souls  and 
bodies  of  men. 

3.  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
unto  you,  even  so  do  unto  them,  for  this  is  the 
law  and  the  prophets.     St.  Matt.  vii.  1*2. 

Let  this  golden  rule,  O  Lord,  govern  all  my 
actions,  let  me  relieve  the  necessities  of  my  fellow- 
Christians,  because  I  should  expect  support  if  I 
were  in  their  circumstances ;  this  is  moreover  the 
best  expression  of  my  love  to  Him,  wherein  thou 
hast  made  so  great  a  part  of  religion  to  consist. 

4.  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord, 
Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is 
in  heaven.     St.  Matt.  vii.  2 1 . 

We  are  happy  upon  any  terms,  O  blessed  Jesus, 
to  be  admitted  into  thy  kingdom:  the  belief  of 
thy  holy  doctrine  shall  appear  in  my  life  and  con- 
versation, and  I  will  use  all  the  means  of  grace 
thou  hast  established,  in  order  to  purify  my  cor- 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  55 

rupt  nature,  and  to  enable  me  to  do  the  will  of 
thy  heavenly  Father. 

5.  Zaccheus  stood  forth  mid  said  unto  the 
Lord,  Behold,  Lord,  the  half  of  my  goods  I 
give  to  the  poor,  and  if  I  have  done  any  ivrong 
to  any  man,  L  restore  fourfold.  St.  Luke 
xix,  8. 

I  am  resolved,  O  Lord,  to  perfect  my  repent- 
ance by  restoring  to  the  right  owner  whatever  I 
unjustly  possess,  by  making  satisfaction  to  those  I 
have  any  ways  wronged,  and  by  showing  mercy 
to  the  poor,  which  will  entitle  me  to  thy  mercy, 

0  Lord,  when  I  stand  most  in  need  of  it. 

6.  Who  goeth  a  warfare  at  any  time  of  his 
own  costf  ivho  planteth  a  vineyard,  and  eateth 
not  of  the  fruit  thereof?  orwhofeedeth  a  flock, 
and  eateth  not  of  the  milk  of  the  flock  f  1  Cor. 
ix.  7. 

May  thy  officers,  O  Lord,  in  their  spiritual  war- 
fare, be  always  supported  ;  may  the  husbandmen 
of  thy  vineyard  be  plentifully  rewarded;  and  may 
the  pastors  of  thy  flock  receive  abundant  recom- 
pense for  all  their  care  and  pains  ! 

7.  Lfwe  have  sown  unto  you  spiritual  things, 
is  it  a  great  matter  if  we  shall  reap  your  worldly 
things  f     1  Cor.  ix.  11. 

Grant  that  I  may  always  reverence  thy  priests, 
because  they  have  a  peculiar  relation  to  Thee ;  that 

1  may  sincerel}'  love  them,  and  cheerfully  provide 
for  their  maintenance,  because  of  those  great  bene- 
fits I  receive  from  their  administrations. 

8.  Do  ye  not  know,  that  they  who  minister 
about  holy  things,  live  of  the  sacrifice,  and  they 
who  wait  at  the  altar,  are  partakers  with  the 

D  4 


5G  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

altar  f  even  so  hath  the  Lord  also  ordained,  that 
they  who  preach  the  Gospel  should  live  of  the 
Gospel,     1  Cor.  ix.  13,  14. 

Under  the  legal  dispensation  thou  didst  particu- 
larly, O  Lord,  provide  for  thy  holy  ones.  Under 
the  Gospel  thou  hast  declared  thy  labourers  worthy 
of  their  hire.  Let  me  religiously  observe  what  thou 
hast  ordained,  that  I  may  never  deprive  them  of 
their  just  rights  by  any  sacrilegious  encroachments, 
but  be  ready  always  to  contribute  to  their  comfort- 
able subsistence. 

9.  He  that  soweth  little,  shall  reap  little,  and 
he  that  soweth  plenteously  shall  reap  plenteouslij : 
let  every  man  do  according  as  he  is  disposed  in 
his  heart,  not  (jriidginfjly,  or  of  necessity ;  for 
God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.     2  Cor.  ix.  6,  7. 

In  my  distributions  to  thy  ministers,  and  to  the 
poor  members  ot  thy  body,  let,  O  Lord,  the  will- 
ingness of  my  mind,  and  the  largeness  of  the  gift, 
recommend  the  offering ;  that  I  may  never  confine 
myself  to  the  narrowest  measures,  but  rather  exer- 
cise self-denial  in  order  to  relieve  them  ;  for  thy 
bounty,  which  suffers  not  the  least  service  to  lose 
its  reward,  will  more  abundantly  recompense  our 
larger  charities. 

10.  Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word,  min- 
ister unto  him  that  teacheth  in  all  good  things. 
Be  not  deceived,  God  is  not  mocked,  for  what- 
soever a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  reap.  Gal. 
vi.  6,  7. 

Thou  hast,  O  Lord,  rejoiced  the  heart  of  thy 
servant  with  a  knowledge  of  thy  heavenly  truth ; 
as  I  desire  to  render  praise  to  thy  goodness  for  this 
great  blessing,  so  1  desire  to  be  thankful  to  the 
instruments  of  this  thy  favour,  that  their  lives  may 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  57 

be  made   easy  and  comfortable,  whom  Thou  hast 
ordained  for  men  in  things  pertaining  to  thyself. 

11.  While  ive  have  tirne^  let  us  do  good  unto 
all  men,  and  specially  unto  them  that  are  of  the 
household  of  faith.     Gal.  vi.  10. 

Make  me,  O  Lord,  ready  to  embrace  all  occa- 
sions of  doing  good  to  all  men,  because  they  are 
thy  creatures;  but  let  the  members  of  the  same 
body,  all  necessitous  Christians  particularly,  share 
in  my  beneficence ;  for  they  are  the  peculiar  objects 
of  thy  mercy  and  tenderness. 

12.  Godliness  is  great  riches,  if  .a  man  be 
content  with  that  he  hath ;  for  ive  drought 
nothing  into  the  world,  neither  may  we  carry 
any  thing  out.     1  Tim.  vi.  6,  7. 

Our  happiness,  O  Lord,  consists  not  in  our  abun- 
dance of  riches,  but  in  the  discharge  of  a  good  con- 
science towards  God  and  man,  and  in  submission  to 
thy  holy  will.  Let  my  care  be  for  those  things 
which  will  last  for  ever,  and  not  for  the  perishing 
things  of  this  life,  which  death  will  certainly  strip 
me  of. 

13.  Charge  them  ivho  are  rich  in  this  world, 
that  they  he  ready  to  give,  and  glad  to  distribute; 
laying  up  in  store  for  themselves  a  good  foun- 
dation against  the  time  to  come,  that  they  may 
attain  eternal  life.     1  Tim.  vi.  17 — 19. 

O  my  God,  as  I  enjoy  large  effects  of  thy  bounty, 
so  grant  that  I  may  rejoice  the  heart  of  my  poor 
neighbours  by  a  plentiful  distribution ;  this  will 
make  my  wealth  a  true  blessing  in  this  world,  and 
through  thy  infinite  mercy  secure  the  happiness  of 
the  next. 

14.  God  is  not  unrighteous,  that  he  will  for- 
get your  works  and  labour  that  proceedeth  of 

D  5 


58  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

love ;  wJiich  love  ye  have  showed  for  his  nam^s 
sake,  who  have  ministered  unto  the  saints,  and 
yet  do  minister.     Heb.  vi.  10. 

There  is  no  merit  in  our  best  works,  O  Lord, 
but  we  hope  for  a  reward  fiom  thy  goodness 
which  hath  promised,  and  from  thy  truth  which 
will  perform  it.  Let  but  love  animate  our  offer- 
ings, and  we  are  assured  thou  wilt  cast  a  favour- 
able eye  towards  them. 

1 5.  To  do  good,  and  to  distribute,  forget  not, 
for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased. 

Heb.  xiii.  16. 

Do  I  know  sacrifices,  O  my  God,  that  will  please 
Thee,  and  shall  I  not  offer  them  i  O  how  happy 
dost  Thou  make  thy  poor  creatures,  in  putting  it 
into  their  power  to  do  any  thing  that  is  acceptable 
to  Thee!  I  will  readily  catch  at  every  opportunity 
of  doing  good  to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  men,  for 
therein'is  thy  delight. 

1 6.  Whoso  hath  this  world's  good,  and  seeth 
his  brother  have  need,  and  sJmtteth  up  his  com- 
passion from  him,  how  dwelletli  the  love  of  God 
in  him?     1  St.  John  ill.  17. 

In  vain  I  pretend  to  love  Thee,  O  my  God,  if  my 
necessitous  brother  finds  not  the  effect  of  it.  Thy 
providence  has  made  him  the  object  of  my  charity, 
and  Thou  hast  thereby  consulted  my  greater  good, 
in  giving  me  thereby  an  occasion  to  testify  the  truth 
of  my  love  towards  Thee. 

17.  Give  alms  of  thy  goods,  and  never  turn 
thy  face  from  any  foor  man,  and  then  the  face 
of  the  Lord  shall  not  be  turned  aioay  from  thee^ 
tobit  iv.  7. 

I  am  undone,  O  Lord,  except  Thou  lookest  upon 
me  with  an  eye  of  mercy  :  therefore  will  I  regard 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  59 

the  cry  of  the   poor,  because    the    merciful   shall 
obtain  mercy. 

]  8.  Be  merciful  after  tliij  power;  if  thou  hast 
much,  give  ple7iteousk/ ;  if  thou  hast  little,  do  thy 
diligence  gladly  to  give  of  that  little ;  for  so 
gather  est  thou  thyself  a  good  reward  in  the  day 
of  necessity.     To  bit  iv.  8,  9. 

'Tis  fit,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  who  givest  me  all 
shouldest  be  acknowledged  with  a  proportionable 
share  ;  and  yet  so  great  is  thy  goodness,  that  Thou 
revvardest  the  small  returns  we  are  able  to  make 
with  comfort  and  support  in  the  day  of  necessity, 
and  in  the  hour  of  death. 

1 9.  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth 
unto  the  Lord ;  and  look  what  he  layeth  out,  it 
shall  be  paid  him  again.     Prov.  xix.  17. 

What  hast  Thou  not  done,  O  Lord,  to  'provoke 
me  to  good  works?  Thou  condescendest  to  be  a 
debtor  to  thine  own  creatures,  and  I  should  be 
justly  counted  worse  than  a  brute,  could  I  refuse 
to  lend  upon  such  advantageous  terms. 

20.  Blessed  be  the  man  that  provideth  for  the 
sick  and  needy,  the  Lord  shall  deliver  him  in  the 
time  of  trouble.     Psalm  xli.  \. 

'Tis  thy  blessing,  O  Lord,  alone,  that  can  make 
us  happy;  let  me  never  be  so  much  wanting  to 
myself,  as  to  neglect  those  means  Thou  hast  pre- 
scribed in  order  to  attain  it. 

While  the  minister  reads  these  exhortations  to 
charity,  the  communicants  make  their  offerings, 
which  ought  to  be  done  with  a  short  prayer  for 
God's  acceptance. 

d6 


60  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 


A  Prayer  when  we  offer  our  Alms. 

•  I  ACKNOWLEDGE,  O  Lord,  that  all  I  possess  is 
the  effect  of  thy  bounty:  it  is  from  Thee  I  have 
received  it,  and  to  thy  hol}^  name  be  the  glory. 
Accept  of  this  free-will  offering  from  my  hands,  as 
a  testimony  of  thy  right  to  all  I  enjoy,  and  as  an 
exercise  of  that  love  and  charity  to  my  necessitous 
brethren,  which  Thou  requirest,  and  art  pleased  to 
take  as  done  to  thyself.  O  my  God,  I  am  resolved 
to  prefer  my  duty  before  any  temporal  satisfaction, 
because  thy  favour  is  better  than  life ;  I  will  dedi- 
cate a  part  of  those  good  things  Thou  hast  bestowed 
upon  me  to  relieve  the  poor,  because  Thou  hast 
made  it  an  evidence  of  my  love  to  Thee.  And 
grant  that  all  my  alms-deeds  may  be  performed 
with  such  purity  and  intention  of  mind,  and  with 
such  a  proportion  to  what  Thou  hast  given  me,  that 
they  may  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  through  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen, 

When  the  Offertory  is  finished,  the  Priest  desires 
God  to  accept  of  our  alms,  and  of  those  oblations 
of  bread  and  wine,  which  he  is  now  about  to  con- 
secrate, whereby  they  may  become  to  us  the  body 
and  blood  of  Christ ;  in  which  we  are  to  join  with 
the  greater  fervour,  because  we  are  so  particularly 
concerned  in  the  acceptance  of  those  holy  gifts. 
And  at  this  time  it  is  that  we  exercise  another  sort 
of  charity,  by  offering  up  our  intercessions  for  the 
Church  militant,  for  all  estates  and  conditions  of 
men,  tnat  God  would  be  pleased  to  hear  us  for 
them,  by  virtue  of  the  sacrifice  of  his  Son  which 
we  are  about  to  commemorate.  And  we  now  thank 
God  for  all  his  servants  departed  this  life  in  his 
faith  and  fear,  becnuse  it  is  by  virtue  of  the  same 
sacrifice  they  will  obtain  their  perfect  consumma- 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  61 

tion  and  bliss.  How  conformable  this  is  to  the 
practice  of  the  ancient  Church,  is  well  known  to 
those  who  are  skilled  in  ecclesiastical  history. 

Let  us  pray  for  the  whole  state  of  Christ's 
Church  militant  here  in  earth. 

Almighty  and  everliving  God,  who  by  thy 
holy  Apostle  hast  taught  us  to  make  prayers 
and  supplications,  and  to  give  thanks  for  all 
men :  we  humbly  beseech  thee  most  merci- 
fully [*  to  accept  our  alms  and  *  //  there  he  no 
oblations,  and'\  to  receive  these  J,^- X'// Twi 
our  pravers  which  we  offer  unto  [of  accepting  our 
thy  divine  Majesty,  beseeching  tZ)  tf./t 
thee  to  inspire  continually  the  unsaid. 
universal  Church  with  the  Spirit  of  truth, 
unity,  and  concord :  and  grant  that  all  they 
that  do  confess  thy  holy  name  may  agree  in 
the  truth  of  thy  holy  word,  and  live  in  unity 
and  godly  love.  We  beseech  thee,  also,  to 
save  and  defend  all  Christian  Kings,  Princes, 
and  Governors ;  and  specially  thy  servant 
Victoria  our  Queen,  that  under  her  we 
may  be  godly  and  quietly  governed :  and 
grant  unto  her  whole  council,  and  to  all  that 
are  put  in  authority  under  her,  that  they  may 
truly  and  indifferently  minister  justice,  to  the 
punishment  of  wickedness  and  vice,  and  to 
the  maintenance  of  thy  true  religion  and 
•virtue.  Give  grace,  O  heavenly  Father,  to  all 
Bishops  and  Curates,  that  they  may  both  by 
their  life  and  doctrine  set  forth  thy  true  and 
lively  word,  and  rightly  and  duly  administer 


62  Devotions  f 07'  the  Altar. 

thy  holy  sacraments.  And  to  all  thy  people 
give  thy  heavenly  grace ;  and  especially  to 
this  congregation  here  present,  that'  with 
meek  heart  and  due  reverence  they  may  hear 
and  receive  thy  holy  word,  truly  serving  thee 
in  holiness  and  righteousness  all  the  days  of 
their  life ;  and  we  most  humbly  beseech  thee, 
of  thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  to  comfort  and 
succour  all  them  who  in  this  transitory  life 
are  in  trouble,  sorrow^  need,  sickness,  or  any 
other  adversity.  And  we  also  bless  thy  holy 
name,  for  all  thy  servants  departed  this  life 
in  thy  faith  and  fear :  beseeching  thee  to  give 
us  grace  so  to  follow  their  good  examples, 
that  with  them  we  may  be  partakers  of  thy 
heavenly  kingdom.  Grant  this,  O  Father, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our  only  Mediator  and 
Advocate.     Ame7i. 

While  the  Priest  says  the  Exhortation  and  the 
Invitation,  we  should  stand  with  great  reverence, 
and  attend  to  those  advantages  which  he  declares 
to  be  the  portion  of  worthy  communicants,  and 
comfort  ourselves  with  our  pious  resolutions  against 
the  dangers  those  incur  that  receive  unworthily ; 
and  at  the  same  time  look  inward  upon  ourselves, 
to  see  how  far  we  come  up  to  the  qualifications  of 
those  that  are  invited  to  draw  nigh,  and  to  receive 
with  comfort. 

At  the  time  of  the  celebration  of  the  Commmiion, 
the  coinmunicants  being  conveniently  placed 
for  the  receiving  of  the  Holy  Sacrament,  the 
Priest  shall  say  this  Exhortation, 

Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  ye  that  mind 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  63 

to  come  to  the  holy  communion  of  the  body 
and  blood  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  must  con- 
sider how  St.  Paul  exhorteth  all  persons 
diligently  to  try  and  examine  themselves, 
before  they  presume  to  eat  of  that  bread 
and  drink  of  that  cup.  For  as  the  benefit  is 
great,  if  with  a  true  penitent  heart  and  lively 
faith  we  receive  that  holy  Sacrament  (for 
then  we  spiritually  eat  the  flesh  of  Christ, 
and  drink  his  blood;  then  w^e  dwell  in  Christ, 
and  Christ  in  us ;  we  are  one  with  Christ, 
and  Christ  with  us) ;  so  is  the  danger  great, 
if  we  receive  the  same  unworthily.  For 
then  we  are  guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ  our  Saviour ;  we  eat  and  drink  our 
own  damnation,  not  considering  the  Lord's 
body ;  we  kindle  God's  wrath  against  us,  we 
provoke  Him  to  plague  us  with  divers  dis- 
eases, and  sundry  kinds  of  death.  Judge, 
therefore,  yourselves,  brethren,  that  ye  be  not 
judged  of  the  Lord  ;  repent  you  truly  for  your 
sins  past;  have  a  lively  and  stedfast  faith  in 
Christ  our  Saviour  ;  amend  your  lives,  and  be 
in  perfect  charity  ^^  ith  all  men  ;  so  shall  ye 
be  meet  partakers  of  those  holy  mysteries. 
And  above  all  things  we  must  give  most 
humble  and  hearty  thanks  to  God  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  the  re- 
demption of  the  world,  by  the  death  and 
passion  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  both  God  and 
man,  who  did  humble  Himself  even  to  the 
death  upon  the  cross,  for  us  miserable  sin- 
ners ;  who  lay  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of 


G4  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

death,  that  He  might  make  us  the  children 
of  God,  and  exalt  us  to  everlasting  life.  And 
to  the  end  that  we  should  always  remember 
the  exceeding  great  love  of  our  Master  and 
only  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  thus  dying  for  us, 
and  the  innumerable  benefits  which  by  his 
precious  blood-shedding  He  hath  obtained  to 
us ;  He  hath  instituted  and  ordained  holy 
mysteries  as  pledges  of  his  love,  and  for  a 
continual  remembrance  of  his  death,  to  our 
great  and  endless  comfort.  To  Him,  there- 
fore, with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
let  us  give  (as  we  are  most  bounden)  con- 
tinual thanks,  submitting  ourselves  wholly  to 
his  holy  will  and  pleasure,  and  studying  to 
serve  Him  in  true  holiness  and  righteousness 
all  the  days  of  our  life.     Amen. 

Then  shall  the  Priest  say  to  them  that  come  to 
receive  the  Holy  Communion, 

Ye  that  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent  you  of 
your  sins,  and  are  in  love  and  charity  with 
your  neighbours,  and  intend  to  lead  a  new 
life,  following  the  commandments  of  God,  and 
walking  from  henceforth  in  his  holy  ways ; 
draw  near  with  faith,  and  take  this  holy 
Sacrament  to  your  comfort ;  and  make  your 
humble  confession  to  Almighty  God,  meekly 
kneeling  upon  your  knees. 

We  must  make  our  Confession,  which  follows 
next,  in  the  humblest  posture  of  kneeling,  repeat- 
ing the  words  after  the  minister  with  great  sorrow 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  Qo 

of  heart  for  the  many  heinous  offences  we  have 
been  guilty  of,  and  must  be  sure  that  the  inward 
sense  of  our  minds  answers  the  propriety  of  those 
expressions  which  the  Church  puts  into  our 
mouths,  that  while  we  draw  near  unto  God  with 
our  lips,  our  hearts  may  not  be  far  from  Him. 

Then  shall  this  general  Confession  be  made  in 
the  name  of  all  those  that  are  minded  to  re- 
ceive the  holy  Communion^  by  one  of  the 
Ministers,  both  he  and  all  the  people  kneel- 
ing humbly  upon  their  knees,  and  saying. 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  Maker  of  all  things.  Judge  of  all 
men  ;  we  acknowledge  and  bewail  our  mani- 
fold sins  and  wickedness,  which  we  from  time 
to  time  most  grievously  have  committed,  by 
thought,  word,  and  deed,  against  thy  divine 
Majesty  :  provoking  most  justly  thy  wrath 
and  indignation  against  us.  We  do  earnestly 
repent,  and  are  heartily  sorry  for  these  our 
misdoings ;  the  remembrance  of  them  is 
grievous  unto  us  ;  the  burden  of  them  is  in- 
tolerable. Have  mercy  upon  us,  have  mercy 
upon  us,  most  merciful  Father ;  for  thy  Son 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  forgive  us  all 
that  is  past,  and  grant  that  we  may,  ever 
hereafter  serve  and  please  Thee  in  newness 
of  life,  to  the  honour  and  glory  of  thy  name, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

When  the  Absolution  is  pronounced,  we  must 
keep  ourselves  in  great  silence,  and  in  an  humble 
posture,  while  we  are  receiving  so  great  a  blessing. 
For  here  we  must  not  repeat  the  words  after  the 


66  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

minister,  because  it  is  a  peculiar  part  of  the  priestly 
office  to  absolve;  but  we  must  be  sure  at  the  end  of 
the  Absolution  to  offer  up  a  hearty  Amen,  that  God 
would  be  pleased  to  confirm  in  heaven  what  He 
has  given  his  ministers  authority  to  pronounce  on 
earth. 

Then  shall  the  Priest  (or  Bishop  being  present) 
stand  up,  and  turning  himself  to  the  People, 
pronounce  this  Absolution  : 

Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  who  of 
his  great  mercy  hath  promised  forgiveness  of 
sins  to  all  them  that  with  hearty  repentance 
and  true  faith  turn  unto  Him  ;  have  mercy 
upon  you,  pardon  and  deliver  you  from  all 
your  sins,  confirm  and  strengthen  you  in  all 
goodness,  and  bring  you  to  everlasting  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

After  the  Absolution^  the  Church  has  provided 
us  with  some  choice  portions  of  Scripture,  to  beget 
in  us  a  lively  faith  and  firm  persuasion  of  God's 
mercy  and  forgiveness  towards  penitent  sinners,  to 
the  end  that  their  hopes  may  be  revived,  and  that 
the  comfort  of  the  absolution  may  be  confirmed  to 
them. 

If  the  communicants  have  time  to  make  any 
reflection  upon  these  texts,  it  may  be  done  in  the 
following  manner. 

Come  unto  me  all  that  travail  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  refresh  ijou,     St.  Matt.  xi. 

28. 

In  obedience  to  thy  call,  O  blessed  Jesus,  I  ap- 
proach unto  thee  !  I  must  confess  the  sense  of  my 
many  and  great  follies  oppresses  me  and  covers  me 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  67 

with    confusion ;  but  thy  pardon  and   forgiveness 
will  restore  joy  and  gladness  to  my  soul. 

So  God  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his 
only-begotten  Son,  to  the  end  that  all  that  believe 
in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life.     St.  John  ill.  16. 

No  greater  evidence  of  thy  love,  O  Lord,  can  be 
desired  than  the  sacrifice  of  thy  Son  ;  O !  qualify 
my  soul  to  receive  the  benefit  of  it  by  a  firm  and 
immovable  faith  in  the  merits  of  his  death,  that  I 
may  escape  those  punishments  my  sins  deserve, 
and  obtain  that  salvation  thou  hast  graciously 
promised. 

This  is  a  true  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  men 
to  be  received,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners,     1  Tim.  i.  15. 

A  most  blessed  and  joyful  truth,  which  I  will 
firmly  believe,  because  revealed  from  above.  Thou, 
O  blessed  Jesus,  wert  made  manifest  to  destroy 
the  works  of  the  devil,  and  to  release  me  from  the 
punishment  due  to  my  sins  ;  let  my  true  repentance 
make  me  a  fit  object  of  thy  mercy,  and  then,  even 
my  sins  shall  not  deprive  me  of  the  hopes  of  thy 
favour. 

If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  aiid  he 
is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  1  St.  John 
ii.  1. 

Blessed  God  !  who  hast  not  left  us  without  a 
remedy,  when  our  spiritual  enemies  prevail  ao^ainst 
us  ;  I  will  not  despair  of  thy  mercy,  since  the  im- 
maculate Jesus  intercedes  for  me  :  let  the  merit  of 
his  sufferings  plead  for  the  acceptance  of  my  peni- 
tential sorrow,  and  convey  to  me  strength  and 
power  to  serve  Thee  better  for  the  time  to  come. 


68  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

We  have  been  hitherto  employed  in  hearing  our 
duty,  exercising  our  charity,  professing  our  repent- 
ance, and  strengthening  our  faith  in  the  goodness 
of  God.  We  are  now  called  upon  to  praise  Him, 
and  to  lift  up  our  hearts  to  Him :  which  made  so 
constant  a  part  of  this  solemn  service,  that  all  the 
ancient  liturgies  agree  in  this  form,  which  our 
Church  retains.  And  indeed  when  our  consciences 
are  eased  by  repentance,  and  quieted  by  pardon, 
we  have  great  reason  joyfully  to  acknowledge  the 
bounty  of  our  Benefactor,  And  this  Exhortation 
hath  not  only  a  respect  to  the  duty  of  praise,  but 
seems  to  require  the  dismissing  of  all  worldly 
thoughts,  that  we  may  the  better  fix  our  minds 
upon  the  holy  mysteries.  It  is  the  Christian's  call 
to  attend  with  great  seriousness  and  devotion  upon 
the  solemn  service  he  is  engaged  in  ;  and,  therefore, 
we  must  take  care,  when  we  declare  with  our  lips, 
that  we  lift  up  our  hearts  to  the  Lord,  that  we  be 
sincere  in  our  professions. 

After  which  the  Priest  shall  proceed,  saying. 

Lift  up  your  hearts. 

Answ.  We  lift  them  up  unto  the  Lord. 
Priest.  Let  us  give  thanks  unto  our  Lord 
God. 

Answ.  It  is  meet  and  right  so  to  do. 

Then  shall  the  Priest  turn  to  the  Lord's  Table, 
and  say. 

It  is  very  meet,  right,  and  our  bounden 
duly,  that  we  should  at  all  times,  and  in  all 
*  These  words  places,  givo  thauks  unto  Thee,  O 
i'°'L':'':?'r.L<»-d,  *holy  Father,  Almighty, 
nity  Sunday.         everlastlug  God. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  69 

Here  shall  follozv  the  'proper  Preface  according 
to  tlie  thne,  if  there  be  any  specially  ap- 
pointed :  or  else  immediately  shall  follow^ 

Therefore  with  angels  and  archangels,  and 
with  all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and 
magnify  thy  glorious  name,  evermore  praising 
Thee,  and  saying.  Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God 
of  hosts,  heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  thy 
glory.  Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  most  high. 
Amen, 

Proper  Prefaces. 

Upon  Christmas-day^  and  seven  days  after. 

Because  Thou  didst  give  Jesus  Christ  thine 
only  Son  to  be  born  as  at  this  time  for  us, 
who  by  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
made  very  man  of  the  substance  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary  his  mother,  and  that  without  spot  of 
n,  to  make  us  clean  from  all  sin.  Therefore 
with  angels,  &c. 

Upon  Easter-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

But  chiefly  are  we  bound  to  praise  Thee  for 
the  glorious  resurrection  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord  ;  for  He  is  the  very  Paschal 
Lamb,  which  w^as  offered  for  us,  and  hath 
taken  away  the  sin  of  the  world ;  who  by  his 
death  hath  destroyed  death,  and  by  his  rising 
to  life  again  hath  restored  to  us  everlasting- 
life.     Therefore  with  angels,  &c. 


70  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

Upon  Ascension-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

Through  thy  most  dearly  beloved  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  who  after  his  most  glorious 
resurrection  manifestly  appeared  to  all  his 
Apostles,  and  in  their  sight  ascended  up  into 
heaven  to  prepare  a  place  for  us,  that  where 
He  is,  thither  we  might  also  ascend,  and 
reign  with  Him  in  glory.  Therefore  with 
angels,  &c. 

Upon  Whit-Sunday,  and  sicV  days  after. 

Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  according 
to  whose  most  true  promise,  the  Holy  Ghost 
came  down  as  at  this  time  from  heaven  with 
a  sudden  great  sound,  as  it  had  been  a  mighty 
wind,  in  the  likeness  of  fiery  tongues,  lighting 
upon  the  Apostles,  to  teach  them,  and  to  lead 
them  to  all  truth,  giving  them  both  the  gift 
of  divers  languages,  and  also  boldness  with 
fervent  zeal  constantly  to  preach  the  Gospel 
unto  all  nations ;  whereby  we  have  been 
brought  out  of  darkness  and  error  into  the 
clear  light  and  true  knowledge  of  Thee,  and 
of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ.  Therefore  with 
angels,  &c. 

Upon  the  Feast  of  Trinity  only. 

Who  art  one  God,  one  Lord  ;  not  one  only 
Person,  but  three  Persons  in  one  substance. 
For  that  which  we  believe  of  the  glory  of  the 


Devotions forthe  Altar,  71 

Father,  the  same  we  believe  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  any  difference  or 
inequality.     Therefore  with  angels,  &c. 

After  each  of  which  Prefaces  shall  immediately 
be  sung  or  said, 

Therefore  with  angels  and  archangels,  and 
with  all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and 
magnify  thy  glorious  name,  evermore  praising 
thee,  and  saying,  Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God 
of  hosts,  heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  thy  glory. 
Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  most  high.    Ame?i, 

Then  follows  the  Address^  which  consists  rn  an 
acknowledgment  of  our  own  unworthiness  to  ap- 
proach God's  table,  and  in  imploring  his  divine 
assistance. 

Then  shall  the  Priest,  kneeling  doivn  at  the 
Lord's  table,  say,  in  the  name  of  all  them 
that  shall  receive  the  Communion,  this  Prayer 
followi7ig : 

We  do  not  presume  to  come  to  this  thy  table, 
O  merciful  Lord,  trusting  in  our  own  right- 
eousness, but  in  thy  manifold  and  great 
mercies.  We  are  not  worthy  so  much  as  to 
gather  up  the  crumbs  under  thy  table.  But 
thou  art  the  same  Lord,  whose  property  is 
always  to  have  mercy :  grant  us,  therefore, 
gracious  Lord,  so  to  eat  the  flesh  of  thy  dear 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  drink  his  blood,  that 


72  Devotions  for  ilie  Altar. 

our  sinful  bodies  may  be  made  clean  by  his 
body,  and  our  souls  washed  through  his  most 
precious  blood,  and  that  Ave  may  evermore 
dwell  in  Him,  and  He  in  us.     Amen. 

After  this  comes  the  prayer  of  Consecration,  tlie 
most  ancient  and  essential  part  of  this  Eucharistical 
Service,  because  it  is  by  the  prayer  and  authority 
of  God's  lawful  minister,  that  the  offerings  of  bread 
and  wine  become  to  us  symbols  of  the  body  and  blood, 
of  Christ.  We  ought  now  with  great  devotion  to 
join  in  those  petitions  the  Priest  offers  up,  and  to 
accompany  the  actions,  of  breaking  the  bread  and 
pouring  out  the  wine,  with  proper  meditations. 

When  the  Priest,  standing  before  the  table,  hath 
so  ordered  the  bread  and  wine  that  he  may 
with  the  more  readiness  and  decency  break 
the  bread  before  the  People,  and  take  the  cup 
into  his  hands,  he  shall  say  the  Prayer  of 
Consecration  asfolloweth : 

Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  who 
of  thy  tender  mercy  didst  give  thine  only 
Son  Jesus  Christ  to  suffer  death  upon  the 
cross  for  our  redemption,  who  made  there 
(by  his  one  oblation  of  Himself  once  offered) 
a  full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  ob- 
lation, and  satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world,  and  did  institute,  and  in  his  holy 
Gospel  command  us  to  continue  a  perpetual 
memory  of  that  his  precious  death,  until  his 
coming  again :  hear  us,  O  merciful  Father, 
we  most  humbly  beseech  Thee,  and  grant  that 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  73 

we,  receiving  these  thy  creatures  of  bread  and 
wine,  according  to  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ's  holy  institution,  in  remembrance  of 
his  death  and  passion,  may  be  partakers  of 
his  most  blessed  body  and  blood :  who,  in  the 
same  night  that  He  was  be- 
trayed («)  took  bread,  and  when  .  ici)  Here  the  Priest 

■,      ^       \        .  1         ,  /  7  V    1       ts   to  take  the  paten 

he  had  given  thanks,  {b)  he  into  his  hands. 
brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  his  dis-  ,  (^)  Jl^  ^r'  ^'^ 

'  mi  break  the  bread. 

ciples,  saying,  Take,  eat,  (c)  {c)  And  here  to  lay 
this  is  my  body  which  is  given  ^^J;;"^  "^^"  «^^  '^' 
for  you  :  do  this  in  remem-  {d)  Here  he  is  to 
brance  of  me.     Likewise  after  [td!"""  "^  "'"  '" 

supper   He    (d)    took   the   cup  ;       {«)  And  here  to  lay 

di  TT     1-     J     •  xi,        1         ^^*   hand   upon  every 

,whenHe  had  given  thanks,  „,,,,^  (^e  u  chalice 

He  gave  it  to  them,  saving,  ^r  fiagon)  in  which 

TA    •    1  n      c  I^  '        n       .  i  *'•     /    \   ^^^^^e  is  any  wine  to 

Drink  ye  all  ot  this;  for  this  (e)  be  consecrated. 
is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, which  is  shed  for  you  and  for  many 
for  the  remission  of  sins :  do  this,  as  oft  as 
ye   shall  drink   it,  in   remembrance  of  me. 
Amen. 

When  the  consecration  is  finished,  it  will  be 
very  fit  to  express  our  admiration  and  thankfulness 
for  the  divine  nourishment  provided  for  us. 

A  Prayer  immediately  after  consecration. 

Accept,  O  eternal  God,  of  that  representation 
we  make  before  Thee  of  that  all-sufficient  sacrifice 
which  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  made 
upon  the  cross :  let  the  merit  of  it  plead  effectually 
for  the  pardon  and  forgiveness  of  all  my  sins,  and 
render  Thee  favourable  and  propitious  to  me  a  mise- 
rable sinner ;  let  the  power  of  it  prevail  against  all 

[96]  E 


74  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

the  powers  of  darkness  ;  let  the  wisdom  of  it  make 
me  wise  unto  salvation  ;  and  let  the  peace  of  it 
reconcile  me  to  Thee,  and  bring  to  me  peace  of  con- 
science. 

I  adore  Thee,  O  blessed  Jesus,  my  Redeemer, 
who  didst  endure  the  painful  and  shameful  death  of 
the  cross,  to  recover  me  from  a  state  of  sin  and 
misery ;  I  admire  thine  infinite  condescension,  who 
wert  pleased  to  be  made  miserable,  that  I  might 
be  made  happy :  poor,  that  I  might  be  enriched ; 
and  didst  die,  that  I  might  live  for  ever.  With  all 
my  soul,  O  dear  Jesus,  I  love  and  praise  Thee  for 
these  stupendous  expressions  of  thy  bounty  and 
goodness  towards  me;  O  Lamb  of  God,  that  takest 
away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon  me ; 

0  Lamb  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  grant  me  thy  peace.  Amen,  Lord  Jesus, 
Amen, 

A  Prayer  before  receiving  the  consecrated  bread, 
consisting  of  confession  and  imploring  pardon, 

I.  Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  I  desire  to 
humble  myself  before  Thee,  under  the  sense  of 
those  many  and  heinous  sins  which  I  have  been 
guilty  of  against  thy  Divine  Majesty,  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed. 

I  confess,  with  sorrow  and  confusion  of  face,  that 

1  have  too  often  neglected  the  duties  of  religion, 
which  is  the  great  and  important  concern  of  my 
life  ;  and  when  I  have  performed  them,  1  have  not 
exercised  that  fervour  of  spirit,  that  intenseness  of 
mind,  which  such  holy  services  require  from  me. 

I  have  not  been  sufficiently  thankful  for  the  con- 
tinued effects  of  thy  goodness  and  bounty  towards 
me;  neither  have  I  received  the  afflicting  dispensa- 
tions of  thy  providence,  with  that  patience  and  sub- 
mission which  is  due  to  that  infinite  wisdom  from 
whence  they  proceed. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  75 

I  have  not  preserved  such  a  sense  of  my  follies 
and  infirmities,  as  ought  to  have  inspired  a  mean 
and  low  opinion  of  myself,  and  to  have  made  me 
ready  to  condescend  to  the  lowest  offices  for  the 
service  of  my  fellow-Christians. 

I  have  not  set  a  sufficient  guard  upon  my  senses, 
so  that  my  eyes  and  ears  have  been  instrumental 
in  defiHng  and  polluting  my  soul;  and  even  the 
comforts  and  conveniences  of  life  have  been  made  a 
snare,  by  indulging  pleasure  more  than  the  end  and 
design  for  which  they  were  bestowed. 

I  have  had  a  greater  regard  to  the  fashion  and 
custom  of  the  world,  than  to  that  sincerity  which 
Thou  requirest  in  all  my  conversation. 

I  have  too  often  impaired  the  credit  and  repu- 
tation of  my  neighbour,  by  discovering  his  faults 
and  infirmities,  and  have  too  easily  listened  to 
those  slanders  against  him  which  bad  men  have 
suggested. 

I  have  not  embraced  all  those  occasions  Thou  hast 
offered  me,  of  doing  good  to  the  souls  and  bodies  of 
my  fellow- Christians,  neither  have  I  discharged  with 
due  care  those  relative  offices  in  the  station  wherein 
thy  providence  has  placed  me. 

II.  I  am  astonished,  O  Lord,  at  my  foolish  rash- 
ness, when  I  reflect  upon  that  dread  Majesty  which 
I  have  provoked : 

I  detest  and  abhor  my  ingratitude,  when  I  con- 
sider the  infinite  kindness  of  that  bountiful  Father 
whom  I  have  offended : 

I  condemn  and  accuse  my  unaccountable  stupi- 
dity, when  I  recollect  that  miserable  slavery  and 
bondage  which  I  have  preferred  before  the  perfect 
freedom  of  thy  service. 

I  abhor  myself  in  dust  and  ashes ;  and  if  Thou,  O 
Lord,  hadst  dealt  with  me  according  to  my  deserv- 
ing, instead  of  approaching  thy  altar  with  hopes  of 
acceptance,  I  might  have  been  spending  a  sad 
eternity,  under  remediless  pains  and  misery. 
e2 


76  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

But  there  is  forgiveness  with  Thee,  that  Thou 
mayest  be  feared ;  and  Thou  hast  declared  thy 
mercy  to  extend  over  all  thy  works. 

The  inestimable  sacrifice  of  thy  Son,  which  Thou 
hast  provided  for  us,  sufficiently  assures  me  of  thy 
readiness  to  admit  me  to  terms  of  peace  and  recon- 
ciliation. 

Oh  let  thy  infinite  mercy  and  compassion  receive 
me  in  the  quality  of  a  penitent  supplicant,  whom 
thy  great  patience  has  borne  with  as  a  sinner. 

I  am  heartily  sorry  I  have  offended  Thee ;  I 
detest  my  sins,  because  they  are  displeasing  to 
Thee,  who  art  infinite  goodness. 

I  am  resolved,  by  the  assistance  of  thy  grace,  to 
return  no  more  to  folly,  to  avoid  all  occasions  of 
evil,  and  to  live  better  for  the  time  to  come. 

I  entreat  Thee,  therefore,  by  the  merit  of  thy 
Son's  blood,  the  price  of  my  redemption,  that  Thou 
wouldst  be  pleased  to  release  me  from  the  guilt  of 
all  my  sins : 

Let  that  immaculate  and  pure  sacrifice,  which 
He  offered  upon  the  cross,  and  which  by  thy  good 
providence  1  now  commemorate,  be  effectual  for 
my  pardon  and  forgiveness. 

I  know  my  many  and  great  sins  are  just  matter 
of  fear  and  dejection  of  spirit;  but  I  will  hope  in 
thy  mercies,  which  are  boundless  and  infinite. 

The  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness  would  sink 
me  into  despair,  did  I  not  reflect  upon  thine  infi- 
nite goodness,  and  that  precious  blood  which  was 
shed  to  purchase  redemption  for  me. 

III.  Thus  supported,  O  Lord,  I  approach  this 
Christian  sacrifice. 

I  come  as  a  sick  man  to  the  great  Physician 
of  life  ;  I  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  to  cure  my  infir- 
mities. 

I  come  as  a  polluted  wretch  to  the  Fountain  of 
mercy;  wash  away,  I  entreat  Thee,  all  my  unclean- 
ness. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  77 

I  come  as  a  returning  prodigal  child  to  his  tender 
and  compassionate  Father ;  O  receive  me,  and  re- 
lieve me,  and  revive  me  by  thy  favour. 

I  come  as  a  bhnd  man  to  the  source  of  eternal 
brightness ;  do  Thou,  O  Lord,  enlighten  my  dark- 
ness, that  I  may  behold  the  wondrous  things  of  thy 
law. 

I  come  as  a  poor  frail  creature  to  the  great  Lord 
of  heaven  and  earth ;  supply  my  wants  and  do 
abundantly  more  for  me  than  I  am  able  to  ask  or 
think. 

Let  me  not  only  receive  the  outward  and  visible 
signs,  but  the  inward  and  spiritual  grace,  the  body 
and  blood  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

That  so  all  carnal  affections  may  die  in  me,  and 
that  all  things  belonging  to  the  Spirit  may  live  and 
grow  in  me. 

That  I  may  have  power  and  strength  to  have 
victory,  and  to  triumph  against  the  world,  the  flesh, 
and  the  devil ; 

And  also  may  be  endued  with  all  such  heavenly 
virtues  which  are  pleasing  to  Thee,  and  which  Thou 
wilt  eternally  reward  for  the  merit  of  thy  Son's 
death,  to  whom,  with  the  Father,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  world  without  end. 
Amen, 

Another  Prayer  before  receiving  the  consecrated 
bread;  consisting  of  petitions  for  the  virtues  of  a 
Christian  life. 

I.  Most  merciful  and  gracious  God,  who  of  thy 
great  goodness  didst  give  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  to 
take  upon  Him  our  nature,  and  to  humble  Himself 
to  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross ; 

I  beseech  Thee,  by  his  infinite  condescension,  by 
his  perfect  obedience,  and  by  his  meritorious  suffer- 
ings, not  onlj'  to  pardon  my  past  sins,  but  to  endue 
e3 


78  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

me  with  power  and  strength  to  resist  them  for  the 
time  to  come. 

Let  the  virtue  of  these  holy  mysteries  replenish 
me  with  such  supernatural  gifts  and  graces  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  as  may  enable  me  not  only  to  act 
conformably  to  the  light  of  my  own  mind,  but 
may  make  me  readily  obey  thy  heavenly  motions, 
and  constantly  follow  the  suggestions  of  thy  holy 
inspiration. 

Give  me  a  zealous  sense  of  piety  towards  Thee, 
my  gracious  Lord  and  Sovereign,  and  to  all  thy 
sacred  and  divine  mysteries. 

Let  me  reverence  thy  word  and  worship,  and  all 
things  and  persons  dedicated  and  devoted  to  thy 
peculiar  service. 

Let  me  submit  to  all  the  afflictions  Thou  shalt 
think  fit  to  lay  upon  me,  with  patience  and  with 
meekness. 

Let  me  trust  to  thy  providence  to  supply  me 
under  all  dangers  and  necessities ; 

And  let  me  thankfully  acknowledge  thy  bounty 
in  all  those  good  things  which  Thou  so  freely  hast 
bestowed  upon  me. 

11.  Give  me,  O  Lord,  that  divine  wisdom  which 
proposes  the  pleasing  Thee  as  the  end  and  aim  of 
all  my  actions,  and  which  directs  to  all  those  means 
which  Thou  hast  graciously  established  for  the 
working  out  my  salvation. 

That  my  precious  time  may  not  be  employed  in 
hunting  after  trifles,  that  my  natural  talents  may 
not  be  buried  and  drowned  in  brutish  sensuality, 
that  my  study  may  not  be  vanity,  nor  my  labour 

But  that,  framing  a  right  judgment  in  all  things, 
I  may  fix  my  mind  upon  those  pleasures  which 
are  at  thy  right  hand,  which  are  permanent  and 
durable  ; 

And  that  the  great  care  and  business  of  my  life 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  79 

may  be  to  obtain  thy  favour,  who  art  the  sovereign 
good  of  my  soul,  and  the  satisfying  centre  of  all  my 
desires. 

To  this  end  inure  me  to  spiritual  objects  by 
constant  and  fervent  prayer,  by  entertaining  my 
thoughts  with  pious  meditations,  by  reading  and 
hearing  thy  holy  word  with  reverence  and  atten- 
tion, and  by  frequently  approaching  thy  altars  with 
humility  and  devotion. 

And  above  all,  let  a  constant  fear  of  offending 
my  good  God  put  me  upon  my  guard,  and  make 
me  watchful  amidst  those  imminent  dangers  that 
surround  me  in  this  my  pilgrimage  on  earth. 

Thou,  O  Lord,  who  resistest  the  proud,  and 
givest  grace  to  the  lowly,  endue  me  with  the  virtue 
of  true  humility f  the  model  of  which  thy  only  Son 
traced  out  for  the  practice  of  the  faithful ; 

That  I  may  have  a  just  sense  of  all  my  weak- 
nesses and  follies,  and  may  readily  submit  to  the 
meanest  offices  for  the  welfare  and  benefit  of  my 
fellow-Christians ; 

That  I  may  restrain  all  immoderate  desires  of 
honour,  by  doing  nothing  through  strife  and  vain- 
glory ; 

And  that  I  may  never  exalt  myself  upon  the 
account  of  any  advantage  I  enjoy  of  body  and  mind 
above  others,  by  remembering  that  it  is  not  the 
effect  of  my  merit,  but  of  thy  infinite  goodness  and 
distinguishing  mercy. 

Oh  !  deliver  me  from  the  slavery  and  dominion  of 
pride,  which  threw  angels  from  heaven,  and  drove 
man  out  of  paradise;  which  produces  so  much  evil 
and  torment  wherever  it  resides,  and  which,  above 
all,  is  so  hateful  in  thy  sight. 

III.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  love  Thee  above 
all  things,  who  art  infinitely  perfect  in  thy  own 
nature ; 

That  I  may  desire  Thee  above  all  things,  who  art 
E  4 


80  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

full  of  mercy  and  compassion  towards  the  children 
of  men  : 

Whom  is  there  in  heaven  but  Thee  ?  and  whom 
upon  earth  that  I  can  desire  in  comparison  of  Thee  ? 
As  the  hart  thirsteth  after  the  water-brooks,  so  let 
my  soul  long  after  Thee,  O  God. 

Let  the  allurements  of  the  world,  and  the  enjoy- 
ments of  sense,  appear  as  trifling  entertainments, 
in  comparison  with  the  pleasure  and  happiness  of 
serving  Thee  and  doing  good. 

Let  the  difficulties  and  dangers  which  I  meet 
with  in  the  way  of  my  duty  be  so  far  from  dis- 
couraging me,  that  they  may  raise  my  spirits, 
increase  my  resolution,  and  serve  only  to  make 
the  pleasure  of  loving  Thee  more  intense  and  per- 
fect. 

Let  the  divine  flame  of  thy  love  burn  so  bright 
in  my  soul,  that  it  may  free  my  mind  from  all  vile 
affections,  and  influence  all  my  actions  with  a  care- 
ful observance  of  thy  holy  laws,  and  farther  evidence 
its  sincerity  by  diligently  consulting  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  happiness  of  my  neighbour. 

Oh  !  let  it  suppress  all  the  bitter  effects  of  envy, 
that  I  may  compassionate  his  misfortunes,  and  re- 
joice in  all  the  good  things  Thou  art  pleased  to 
bestow  upon  him  : 

That  I  may  be  tender  of  his  reputation,  and 
never  expose  it  by  rash  censures,  nor  diminish  it  by 
the  relation  of  his  real  infirmities : 

That  I  may  guard  my  heart  from  secretly  re- 
pining at  his  prosperity,  or  triumphing  in  his 
calamity: 

That  I  may  set  a  watch  upon  the  door  of  my 
lips,  that  I  may  speak  no  evil  concerning  him,  nor 
utter  any  words  of  detraction  : 

That  it  may  quiet  and  appease  the  furious  boil- 
ing of  anger  in  my  mind,  by  making  me  patient  and 
meek  under  all  provocations,  by  disposing  me  to 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  81 

forgive  offences,  and  to  return  silence  to  all  injurious 
treatment. 

That  it  may  conquer  worldly  sorrow,  which 
worketh  death,  by  a  comfortable  expectation  of 
future  happiness  : 

That  it  may  expel  malice  by  doing  good,  that 
it  may  strengthen  my  weakness  by  fortitude,  cure 
my  despair  by  hope,  my  listlessness  by  spiritual 
exercises ; 

And  restrain  the  wanderings  of  my  mind  towards 
unlawful  things,  by  being  stedfast  and  unmovable 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

IV.  Give  me,  O  Lord,  a  sober  abstinence,  that  I 
may  know  how  to  abound,  and  how  to  want : 

That  my  fleshly  appetites  may  be  kept  under 
strict  government,  since  the  indulging  of  them  by 
our  first  parents  brought  death  into  the  world: 

That  they  may  always  observe  their  due  bounds, 
by  administering  to  the  necessities  of  life,  and  never 
support  and  encourage  luxury,  which  is  boundless 
and  infinite,  which  brings  forth  scurrility  and  im- 
modesty ;  which  depresses  the  soul,  and  renders  it 
unapt  for  spiritual  enjoyments. 

Make  me  so  mindful  of  that  strict  account  I  must 
give  of  all  my  actions  at  thy  dreadful  tribunal,  that 
it  may  mortify  all  inclinations  and  temptations  to 
sinful  pleasures. 

And  stir  me  up  to  zeal  and  diligence  in  per- 
forming all  those  things  which  are  acceptable  in  thy 
sight. 

In  order  to  attain  these  blessed  ends,  O  Lord,  I 
approach  to  thy  holy  table,  that  I  may  grow  in 
grace,  and  may  be  enabled  to  imitate  the  suffering 
virtues  of  the  crucified  Jesus. 

Grant,  therefore,  most  merciful  God,  that  the 
receiving  the  symbols  of  his  body  and  blood,  which 
I  am  about  to  partake  of,  may,  by  the  grace  and 
efficacy  of  his  Spirit,  conform  me  to  his  divine 
image,  and  make  me  stedfast  in  serving  Thee,  till 
E  5 


82  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

Thou  takest  me  finally  to  enjoy  Thee,  through 
Jesus  Christ  my  blessed  Saviour  and  Redeemer. 
Amen. 

The  foregoing  Prayers  may  be  used  in  our  pews 
before  we  go  up  to  the  communion  table.  When 
the  communicants  are  but  few,  and  we  have  not 
time  to  enlarge  our  devotions,  we  may  comprehend 
the  devout  affections  of  a  worthy  receiver  in  the 
following  shorter  prayer : 

A  Prayer  before  receiving  the  consecrated  elements. 

Most  gracious  God,  who  of  thy  infinite  mercy 
hast  given  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  to  be  our  great 
High  Priest  and  the  Bishop  of  our  souls,  who  did 
offer  Himself  up  to  Thee  a  pure  and  immaculate 
sacrifice  upon  the  cross  for  us  miserable  sinners, 
who  hast  given  us  his  flesh  to  eat  and  his  blood  to 
drink  in  a  mystical  manner;  and  hast  assured  us  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  that  as  often  as  we  eat  that  bread, 
and  drink  that  cup,  we  show  forth  the  Lord's  death 
till  his  coming  again  ; 

I  humbly  beseech  Thee,  therefore,  by  the  merits 
of  his  blood,  the  great  price  of  our  redemption  ; 

I  entreat  Thee  by  his  wonderful  and  ineffable 
charity,  wherewith  He  has  vouchsafed  to  love  us, 
unworthy  creatures,  at  so  great  a  rate,  that  Thou 
wouldest  be  pleased  to  wash  me  in  his  blood  from 
all  my  sins,  which  make  me  unworthy  to  partake  of 
the  holy  mysteries : 

Let  my  repentance  be  hearty  and  sincere,  and 
express  itself  in  all  the  circumstances  of  holy  obe- 
dience for  the  time  to  come. 

Thou  alone  out  of  an  unclean  thing  canst  bring 
a  clean  ;  of  a  wretched  sinner  make  me,  therefore, 
holy  and  righteous. 

Thou  art  the  fountain  of  mercy,  shut  not  up  thy 
bowels  of  compassion  towards  me. 


Devotions  for  the  Jltar,  83 

Thou  art  the  great  Physician  of  souls,  display 
thy  power  in  my  health  and  recovery. 

Let  me  approach  thy  holy  table  with  reverence 
and  devotion,  that  no  vile  affections  may  hmder  me 
from  receiving  the  benefits  of  this  divine  nourish- 
ment. .  .  , 

Let  me  celebrate  this  Christian  sacrifice  with 
purity  of  heart,  and  a  right  intention  of  mind,  that 
I  may  obtain  all  those  advantages  for  which  Thou 
wert  graciously  pleased  to  establish  it. 

Let  me  entirely  resign  my  soul  and  body  to  be  a 
reasonable,  holy,  and  lively  sacrifice  unto  Thee;  for 
Thou  hast  the  justest  claim  to  me,  since  the  blessed 
Jesus  has  purchased  me  at  the  price  of  his  own 

blood. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  constantly  endeavour 
to  make  some  proficiency  in  all  the  virtues  of  the 
Christian  life ;  because  the  blessed  Jesus  has  ob- 
tained for  me,  by  the  merits  of  his  sufferings,  the 
grace  and  assistance  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  work 
in  me  both  to  will  and  to  do  thy  good  pleasure. 

Make  me  ready  to  be  reconciled  to  all  those  that 
have  offended  me,  because  when  we  were  enemies 
we   were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his 

Son.  .  1      • 

Let  me  embrace  all  my  poor  brethren  with  sm- 
cere  love  and  charity,  and  contribute  all  I  can  to 
the  relief  of  Christ's  distressed  members,  because 
He  thought  not  his  life  too  dear,  nor  his  blood  too 
precious,  to  redeem  me  from  a  state  of  bondage  and 
slavery. 

Strengthen  me,  O  Lord,  in  such  a  manner  by 
this  spiritual  food,  that  I  may  successfully  encoun- 
ter all  the  attacks  of  my  spiritual  enemy. 

Suppress  in  me  the  spirit  of  pride  and  vain-glory, 
of  envy  and  detraction,  of  uncleanness  and  intem- 
perance, or  of  any  distrust  and  diffidence  of  thy 

mercy.  .        , 

May  all  temptations  to  these  offences  agamstthy 
E  6 


84«  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

holy  laws  be  overcome  by  that  power  which  Thou 
shalt  be  pleased  to  communicate  to  me  in  this  holy 
Sacrament ; 

And  may  all  those  evils  which  the  craft  and  sub- 
tilty  of  the  devil  or  man  worketh  against  me  be 
brought  to  nought: 

That,  being  outwardly  and  inwardly  fortified  by 
the  assistance  of  thy  grace,  I  may  press  forward 
towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God  in  Jesus  Christ ;  when  1  shall  enjoy  Thee 
no  longer  in  mystery,  which  is  our  lot  and  portion 
here  below,  but  see  Thee  face  to  face,  and  be  eter- 
nally satisfied  with  the  pleasures  of  thy  kingdom, 
in  and  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate.     Amen, 

When  the  Priest  approaches  to  deliver  the  conse- 
crated bread. 

Come,  O  Lord !  and  make  no  long  tarrying,  O 
my  God ! 

I  am  not  worthy  Thou  shouldst  enter  under  my 
roof;  but,  Lord,  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 

I  long  for  thy  salvation,  O  satisfy  me  with  thy 
likeness. 

I  open  my  heart  to  Thee,  O  come  unto  me,  and 
abide  with  me,  and  powerfully  support  me  in  all 
trials  and  temptations,  when  I  most  need  thy  help. 


^  Then  shall  the  Mmister first  receive  the  Com- 
munion in  both  kindshimself,  and  then  proceed 
to  deliver  the  same  to  the  Bishops,  Priests,  and 
Deacons,  in  like  manner,  (if  any  be  present,) 
and  after  that  to  the  people  also  in  order,  into 
their  hands,  all  meekly  kneeling.  And,  ivhen 
he  delivereth  the  Bread  to  any  one,  he  shall  say. 

The  body  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  85 

was  given  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and 
soul  unto  everlasting  life.  Take  and  eat  this 
in  remembrance  that  Christ  died  for  thee,  and 
feed  on  Him  in  thy  heart  by  faith  with  thanks- 
giving. 
A  Prayer  after  receiving  the  consecrated  bread. 

Blessed  be  thy  holy  name,  O  Lord  Jesus,  for 
this  thy  inestimable  gift,  for  this  comfort  Thou 
hast  left  me  in  this  vale  of  tears. 

As  long  as  I  live  will  I  praise  Thee  :  as  long  as 
I  have  any  being,  I  will  most  thankfully  acknow- 
ledge this  thy  bounty  and  goodness  to  the  children 
of  men. 

Thou  hast  given  me  thy  precious  body  to  be  the 
food  of  my  soul ;  behold,  I  offer  to  Thee  my  body 
and  soul,  make  them  fit  for  thy  service. 

Let  this  divine  food  repair  in  me  whatever  has 
been  decayed  by  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  or  the  wiles 
.of  Satan. 

That  my  understanding  may  be  exercised  in  the 
knowledge  of  Thee,  and  the  contemplation  of  thy 
divine  truths,  which  are  alone  able  to  make  me 
wise  unto  salvation ; 

That  my  will  may  choose  and  desire  Thee  above 
all  things,  who  art  the  chiefest  good,  the  most  de- 
sirable portion  of  immortal  souls : 

That  my  affections  may  be  entirely  fixed  on 
Thee,  who  art  only  amiable,  and  the  centre  of  eter- 
nal satisfaction. 

I  will  love  Thee,  O  Lord,  because  Thou  art 
infinitely  good,  and  thy  mercy  endureth  for  ever. 

I  will  love  Thee,  O  Lord,  because  Thou  didst 
create  me  after  thy  own  image,  capable  of  loving 
Thee,  and  enjoying  Thee  eternally. 

I  will  love  Thee,  O  Lord,  because  when  I  had 
lost  and  undone  myself,  Thou  didst  die  to  redeem 
me. 


86  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

I  will  love  Thee,  O  Lord,  because  Thou  only 
art  worthy  of  my  love  ;  Thou  only  canst  fill  and 
satisfy  my  soul. 

Be  Thou,  therefore,  my  hope  and  confidence,  and 
let  all  my  trust  be  placed  in  Thee. 

Be  Thou  my  riches  and  delight,  and  let  all  my 
joy  and  contentment  rest  in  Thee. 

Be  Thou  my  peace  and  refuge,  and  let  my  plea- 
sure and  safety  depend  on  Thee. 

Be  Thou  my  portion  and  greatest  treasure,  and 
let  my  eternal  happiness  be  fixed  in  the  enjoyment 
of  Thee.     Amerif  Lord  Jesus,  Amen, 


When  the  Priest  approaches  to  deliver  the  conse- 
crated wine. 

I  WILL  receive  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon 
the  name  of  the  Lord. 

I  will  ratify  mj  vows  with  this  blood  of  the  New 
Covenant,  and  engage  myself,  O  God,  to  be  eter- 
nally thine. 

Satisfy  my  thirsty  soul  with  good  things,  and  let 
this  communion  of  the  blood  of  Christ  put  more 
gladness  into  my  heart  than  wine  and  oil  when 
they  increase.     Amen, 

A7id  the  Minister  that  delivereth  the  Cup  to 
any  one  shall  say, 

The  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which 
was  shed  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and 
soul  unto  everlasting  life.  Drink  this  in  re- 
membrance that  Christ's  blood  was  shed  for 
thee,  and  be  thankful. 

When  all  have  communicated,  the  Minister 
shall  return  to  the  Lord's  table,  and  reverently 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  87 

place  upon  it  what  remaineth  of  the  consecrated 
elements,  covering  the  same  with  a  fair  linen 
cloth. 

A  Prayer  after  receiving  the  consecrated  wine. 

Blessing  and  honour,  glory  and  power,  be  unto 
Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb 
that  was  slain,  for  ever  and  ever. 

I  give  Thee  most  humble  and  hearty  thanks,  O 
Lord,  from  the  bottom  of  my  soul,  that  Thou  hast 
been  pleased  to  admit  me  at  this  time  to  the  par- 
ticipation of  these  holy  and  desirable  mysteries  ; 

That  Thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  feed  me,  a  sinner, 
thy  unworthy  servant,  with  the  spiritual  nourish- 
ment of  the  body  and  blood  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  this,  not  for  any  merits  of  my  own, 
but  for  the  sake  of  thy  infinite  goodness  and 
mercy. 

Unworthy  though  I  am,  yet  thy  bounty,  O 
Lord,  never  fails :  the  love  of  my  Saviour  is  not 
diminished,  and  the  virtue  of  his  propitiation  is 
never  exhausted. 

Grant,  therefore,  I  beseech  Thee,  that  this  holy 
Sacrament  may  never  turn  to  my  judgment  and 
condemnation ; 

But  that  it  may  be  health  and  recovery  under 
all  my  weaknesses  and  infirmities  ; 

Safety  and  defence  against  all  the  attacks  of  my 
spiritual  enemies ; 

Vigour  and  strength  to  all  my  holy  purposes  and 
resolutions ; 

Comfort  and  support  under  all  the  afflictions  and 
calamities  of  life  ; 

Assistance  and  direction  under  all  difficulties  and 
doubts ; 

Courage  and  constancy  under  all  dangers   and 


88  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

persecutions,  especially  in  times  of  sickness  and  at 
the  hour  of  death. 

Finally,  let  it  procure  for  me  pardon  and  for- 
giveness in  this  life,  mercy  and  favour  at  the  day 
of  judgment,  and  a  never-fading  crown  of  glory  in 
thy  heavenly  kingdom,  where,  with  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  blessed  Spirit,  Thou  livest  and 
reignest,  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen, 

Having  finished  those  devotions  that  relate  to 
ourselves,  this  is  a  proper  season  to  be  mindful  of 
the  wants  and  necessities  of  our  brethren  ;  and  we 
cannot  better  exercise  our  charity,  than  by  recom- 
mending the  whole  state  of  mankind  to  the  mercy 
and  goodness  of  God,  and  by  interceding  with  Him, 
by  the  virtue  of  this  Christian  sacrifice,  for  a  supply 
of  whatever  they  shall  stand  in  need  of.  Such 
intercessions  always  made  a  part  of  the  public 
liturgies  of  the  ancient  Church,  as  it  is  well  known 
to  those  who  are  conversant  in  antiquity,  and  no 
part  of  the  prayers  exceeded  more  in  length  than 
that  which  related  to  this  subject ;  so  that  we 
cannot  do  better,  than  to  follow  the  ancient  model 
for  our  direction  in  this  particular. 


A  Prayer  for  the  whole  state  of  mankind. 

Accept,  O  Lord,  of  my  prayers  and  interces- 
sions, as  a  testimony  of  my  charity  for  the  whole 
race  of  mankind,  and  let  the  virtue  and  efficacy  of 
this  Christian  sacrifice  procure  for  them  comfort 
and  relief  in  all  those  wants  and  necessities  they 
labour  under. 

Enlighten  the  dark  corners  of  the  earth  with  the 
bright  sunshine  of  thy  glorious  Gospel,  and  suc- 
ceed the  pious  designs  of  all  those  that  endeavour 
the  propagation  of  the  kingdom  of  thy  Son ;  that 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  89 

thy  way  may  be  known  upon  earth,  and  thy  saving 
health  among  all  nations. 

Let  thy  continual  pity  cleanse  and  defend  thy 
Church  ;  and  forasmuch  as  it  cannot  continue  in 
safety  without  thy  succour,  preserve  it  evermore 
by  thy  help  and  goodness. 

Endue  the  governors  and  pastors  of  it  with 
courage  and  resolution  to  preserve  those  sacred 
rights  Thou  hast  committed  to  their  trust,  with  zeal 
and  diligence  in  promoting  solid  and  substantial 
piety,  and  with  a  conscientious  discharge  of  all  the 
important  duties  of  their  holy  function. 

Let  all  secular  magistrates  study  to  govern  their 
people  with  truth  and  justice,  and  to  preserve 
them  in  wealth,  peace,  and  godliness. 

Bless  our  Sovereign,  and  all  the  Royal  Family, 
with  the  dew  of  thy  heavenly  Spirit,  that  they, 
ever  trusting  in  thy  goodness,  protected  by  thy 
power,  and  crowned  with  thy  gracious  and  endless 
favour,  may  continue  before  Thee,  in  health,  peace, 
joy,  and  honour,  a  long  and  happy  life  upon  earth, 
and  after  death  obtain  everlasting  life  and  glory  in 
the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Let  war  and  bloodshed  cease  among  Christian 
princes,  and  give  to  all  nations  unity,  peace,  and 
concord. 

Bless  all  the  people  of  this  land  with  health, 
peace,  and  plenty  ;  and  teach  them  to  use  such  thy 
blessings  with  sobriety,  gratitude,  and  charity. 

Make  all  Christians  sincerely  to  practise  that 
religion  they  profess,  and  inspire  them  with  such 
uniting  principles,  and  charitable  hearts,  that  they 
may  love  one  another,  and  thereby  convince  the 
world  that  they  are  thy  disciples. 

Be  merciful  to  all  my  friends,  relations,  and 
acquaintance  ;  those  that  are  in  sin,  convert  them  ; 
those  that  are  in  grace,  confirm  and  strengthen 
them  ;   those  that   are  in  adversity,  comfort   and 


90  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

support  them  ;  and  those  that  are  in  prosperity, 
suffer  them  not  to  forget  Thee. 

Forgive  all  my  enemies,  make  them  easy  and 
ready  to  be  reconciled,  and  give  them  repentance 
and  better  minds. 

Be  gracious  to  all  that  are  in  affliction  and  dis- 
tress, that  labour  under  the  straits  of  poverty, 
that  suffer  persecution  for  the  testimony  of  a  good 
conscience,  that  mourn  under  captivity  or  banish- 
ment, or  any  unjust  oppression  ; 

That  are  exercised  with  bodily  pains  and  dis* 
eases,  that  are  solicited  w^ith  strong  temptations,  or 
are  dejected  with  terrors  and  troubles  of  mind. 

Pity  and  relieve  their  several  necessities,  give 
them  patience  under  all  their  sufferings,  and  in  thy 
due  time  deliver  them  according  to  thy  great  mercy. 

Assist  those  that  are  at  the  point  of  death  ;  and 
when  their  strength  fails,  let  not  their  faith  fail ; 
even  in  death,  enable  them  to  trust  in  Thee. 

Shed  thy  particular  grace  and  benediction  upon 
all  those  who  are  partakers  of  the  holy  communion 
this  day  ; 

That  they  may  persevere  in  all  their  holy  pur- 
poses and  resolutions,  and  may  conform  themselves 
to  the  model  of  their  crucified  Saviour  ; 

That  the  pattern  of  his  piety  and  devotion,  of 
his  humility  and  charity,  of  his  meekness  and  pa- 
tient suffering,  may  be  so  livelily  imprinted  upon 
our  minds,  that  we  may  transcribe  his  example  in 
our  lives  and  conversations  : 

That  thus  commemorating  his  all-sufficient  sacri- 
fice upon  earth,  we  may  receive  the  everlasting 
benefit  of  it  in  thy  heavenly  kingdom,  and  bless 
and  praise  Thee  for  it  to  all  eternity.     Amen, 

"We  cannot  better  conclude  our  devotions,  if 
time  and  opportunity  will  permit,  than  by  ofiering 
up   our   praises  and   thanksgivings   for   all   those 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  91 

mercies  and  blessings  God  hath  bestowed  upon  us 
all  along  in  life,  particularly  for  his  inestimable 
love  in  the  redemption  of  the  world  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ; — and  what  heart  that  is  warm  with  a 
true  sense  of  what  his  Saviour  has  done  and  suf- 
fered for  him,  can  refuse  the  humble  tribute  of  a 
most  grateful  acknowledgment? 

A  Thanksgiving  for  God's  mercies,  temporal  and 
spiritual. 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  praise  his  holy  name.  Praise  the  Lord, 
O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 

Thou,  O  Lord,  art  alone  infinite  in  all  excellences 
and  perfections,  and,  therefore,  thou  only  art  the 
eternal  object  of  the  adorations  and  praises  of  all 
thy  creatures. 

I  desire  to  praise  and  worship  Thee  with  all  the 
heavenly  host,  saying.  Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God 
of  heaven  and  earth,  Thou  hast  created  all  things, 
and  for  thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were  created. 

All  praise  and  thanksgiving  be  rendered  unto 
Thee,  for  making  me  after  thy  own  image  and  like- 
ness, capable  of  loving  Thee,  and  enjoying  Thee 
eternalI3^ 

I  bless  Thee  for  the  light  of  my  reason,  and  all 
other  endowments  and  faculties  of  my  soul  and 
body. 

I  bless  Thee  for  preserving  me  from  innumerable 
accidents  and  dangers,  through  the  whole  course 
of  my  life :  for  all  my  known  and  unobserved  deli- 
verances, and  for  the  guard  thy  holy  angels  have 
kept  over  me. 

I  bless  Thee  for  the  advantages  of  a  pious  educa- 
tion, and  for  seasoning  my  tender  mind  with  early 
notices  of  virtue  and  religion. 

I  bless  Thee  for  recovering  me  to  a  sense  of  my 
duty,  when  I  foolishly  strayed  from  the  fountain 


92  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

of  all  happiness ;  and  for  thy  unwearied  patience 
towards  me,  after  so  many  and  so  great  provo- 
cations. 

I  bless  Thee  for  all  the  comforts  and  accommo- 
dations of  life  which  Thou  hast  bestowed  upon 
me,  whereby  my  pilgrimage  in  this  world  has  been 
softened  and  supported  ! 

And  I  adore  thy  wise  providence  in  all  those 
afflictions  and  disappointments  with  which  Thou 
hast  thought  fit  to  exercise  me,  and  which  have 
brought  me  to  that  sense  of  Thee,  and  of  myself, 
which  it  is  likely  nothing  else  would  have  done. 

By  Thee  I  have  been  holden  up  from  the  womb ; 
my  praise  shall  continually  be  of  Thee. 

Above  all,  I  praise  and  magnify  thy  holy  name 
for  thy  inexpressible  love  to  lost  man: 

For  sending  thy  Son  into  the  world  to  redeem  us 
from  a  state  of  sin  and  misery,  by  suffering  for  us, 
and  dying  in  our  stead,  that  we  might  be  partakers 
of  the  Divine  nature,  and  receive  the  promise  of 
eternal  life. 

And  for  his  instituting  and  ordaining  holy  mys- 
teries as  pledges  of  his  love,  and  for  a  continual 
remembrance  of  his  death,  to  our  great  and  endless 
comfort. 

As  long  as  I  live  will  I  praise  Thee  for  these 
wonders  Thou  hast  done  for  the  children  of  men  ;  as 
long  as  1  have  any  being  I  will  show  forth  thy  noble 
acts. 

I  bless  Thee  for  the  advantages  of  thy  divine 
revelations,  that  Thou  hast  not  abandoned  me  to 
the  dim  light  of  my  own  reason,  but  hast  given  me 
thy  holy  Scriptures  to  instruct  me  in  what  is  neces- 
sary for  me  to  believe  and  practise,  in  order  to  my 
eternal  salvation. 

I  praise  Thee  for  delivering  me  from  temptations 
too  strong  for  me,  and  for  supporting  me  under 
many ; 

For  thy  assistance  and  direction,  and  comforts  of 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  93 

thy  Holy  Spirit,  for  thy  preventing  and  restraining 
grace ; 

For  subduing  my  understanding  and  affections  to 
the  obedience  of  faith  and  godliness ; 

For  inspiring  me  with  good  thoughts,  and  kin- 
dling pious  desires  in  my  soul,  and  for  assisting  me 
in  all  the  methods  of  procuring  eternal  happiness; 

For  these  and  all  other  thy  mercies  and  favours, 
which  are  more  than  can  be  numbered,  blessing  and 
honour,  thanksgiving  and  praise,  be  given  unto  Thee, 
O  most  adorable  Deity,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  by  me  and  by  all  angels,  by  all  men  and  by 
all  creatures,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen, 

When  all  have  communicated,  and  the  Priest 
returns  to  the  remaining  part  of  the  communion 
office,  we  must  be  sure  to  accompany  him  with  our 
devoutest  affections,  and  repeat  after  him  all  the 
petitions  of  that  perfect  form  of  prayer  our  Saviour 
has  left  us  to  help  our  infirmities,  which  is  most 
properly  used  in  this  place  ;  that  his  comprehensive 
words  may  prevail  for  our  acceptance,  provided  they 
are  attended  with  the  sincere  and  earnest  desires  of 
our  hearts. 

Then  shall  the  Priest  say  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the 
people  repeating  after  him  every  petition. 

Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed 
be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy 
will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  that  tres- 
pass against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into  temp- 
tation ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil :  For  thine 
is  the  kingdom,  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


94  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

The  prayer  and  praise  that  follow  do  with  great 

propriety  conclude  this  holy  action  in  imitation  of 

our  Saviour's  pattern,  who  concluded 

Matt  xxvl  30  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^°^y  institution  both  with  a 
prayer  and  hymn,  and  therefore  ought 
to  be  offered  with  particular  intenseness  and  appli- 
cation of  thought,  that  we  may  make  some  amends 
for  any  distractions  or  wanderings  that  may  have 
overtaken  us  in  the  former  part  of  the  service. 

After  shall  he  said  asfoUoweth, 

O  Lord  and  heavenly  Father,  we  thy  hum- 
ble servants  entirely  desire  thy  fatherly  good- 
ness mercifully  to  accept  this  our  sacrifice  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving;  most  humbly  be- 
seeching Thee  to  grant,  that  by  the  merits 
and  death  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  we  and  all  thy 
whole  Church  may  obtain  remission  of  our  sins, 
and  all  other  benefits  of  his  passion.  And 
here  we  offer  and  present  unto  Thee,  O  Lord, 
ourselves,  our  souls  and  bodies,  to  be  a  reason- 
able, h(?ly,  and  lively  sacrifice  unto  Thee; 
humbly  beseeching  Thee,  that  all  we,  who  are 
partakers  of  this  holy  communion,  may  be  ful- 
filled with  thy  grace  and  heavenly  benediction. 
And  although  we  be  unworthy,  through  our 
manifold  sins,  to  offer  unto  Thee  any  sacrifice, 
yet  we  beseech  Thee  to  accept  this  our  boun- 
den  duty  and  service;  not  weighing  our  merits, 
but  pardoning  our  offences,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord ;  by  whom,  and  with  whom, 
in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all  honour  and 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  95 

glory  be  unto  Thee,  O  Father  Almighty,  world 
without  end.     Amen, 


Or  this. 

Almighty  and  everliving  God,  we  most 
heartily  thank  Thee,  for  that  Thou  dost  vouch- 
safe to  feed  us,  who  have  duly  received  these 
holy  mysteries,  with  the  spiritual  food  of  the 
most  precious  body  and  blood  of  thy  Son  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  and  dost  assure  us 
thereby  of  thy  favour  and  goodness  towards 
us ;  and  that  we  are  very  members  incor- 
porate in  the  mystical  body  of  thy  Son, 
which  is  the  blessed  company  of  all  faithful 
people ;  and  are  also  heirs  through  hope  of 
thy  everlasting  kingdom,  by  the  merits  of 
the  most  precious  death  and  passion  of  thy 
dear  Son.  And  we  most  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  so  to  assist  us  with 
thy  grace,  that  we  may  continue  in  that  holy 
fellowship,  and  do  all  such  good  works  as 
Thou  hast  prepared  for  us  to  walk  in ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  to  whom,  with  Thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory, 
world  without  end.     Amen, 

Then  shall  be  said  (yr  sung : 

Glory  be  to  God  on  high,  and  in  earth 
peace,  good-will  towards  men.  We  praise 
Thee,  we  bless  Thee,  we  worship  Thee,  we 
glorify  Thee,  we  give  thanks  to  Thee  for  thy 


96  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

great  glory,  O  Lord  God,  heavenly  King, 
God  the  Father  Almighty. 

O  Lord,  the  only  begotten  Son,  Jesu 
Christ ;  O  Lord  God,  Lamb  of  God,  Son  of 
the  Father,  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  have  mercy  upon  us.  Thou  that 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have 
mercy  upon  us.  Thou  that  takest  away 
the  sins  of  the  world,  receive  our  prayer. 
Thou  that  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  God 
the  Father,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

For  Thou  only  art  holy ;  Thou  only  art  the 
Lord;  Thou  only,  O  Christ,  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  art  most  high  in  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father.     Amen. 

The  Blessing  that  only  remains,  which  is  pro- 
nounced by  the  Bishop,  if  present,  as  the  Priest  of 
greatest  dignity,  must  be  received  in  an  humble 
posture,  and  with  silent  devotion,  begging  of  God 
that  it  may  be  effectual  for  our  future  conduct  in 
all  the  circumstances  of  holy  obedience. 

Then  the  Potest  {or  Bishop  if  he  be  present) 
shall  let  them  depart  with  this  Blessing. 

The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord:  and  the  blessing  of 
God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  be  amongst  you  and  remain 
with  you  always.     Amen. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  97 


A  short  Prayer  ivhen  the   Communion  Service  is 
ended. 

Pardon,  O  God,  all  those  imperfections  that 
have  accompanied  me  at  this  time  in  my  attend- 
ance at  the  altar ;  forgive  the  deadness  and  dulness 
of  my  affections,  the  wanderings  of  my  thoughts, 
and  the  distractions  of  my  mind. 

Let  the  sincerity  of  my  holy  purposes  and  reso- 
lutions make  some  amends  for  my  weakness  and 
frailty. 

Oh !  let  this  commemoration  of  my  crucified 
Saviour  influence  all  my  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions,  that  my  conversation  may  be  as  becometh 
the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

Reward  me  not  according  to  my  deserts,  but 
according  to  my  great  necessities,  and  thy  own  rich 
mercy  in  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  with  Thee,  O  God 
the  Father,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour 
and  glory,  world  without  end.     Amen, 

"Where  communions  are  large,  we  may  want  some 
exercises  for  the  emp(fbying  our  devout  affections ; 
and  the  office  of  the  administration  of  the  holy  com- 
munion contains  such  a  variety  of  excellent  matter 
for  meditation,  that  it  may  not  be  improper  to  en- 
tertain our  minds,  while  others  are  receiving,  with 
the  consideration  of  some  particular  parts  of  it. 
This  may  possibly  be  sometimes  more  useful  than 
either  these  or  any  other  prayers ;  more  especially 
to  such  as  complain  of  coldness  and  dulness  in 
their  devotions ;  for  meditation  naturally  tends  to 
warm  our  affections,  and  raise  in  our  minds  a  spirit 
of  devotion. 

For  example,  suppose  I  had  determined  to  medi- 
tate on  some  part  or  parts  of  the  confession,  which 
begins  thus, — Almighty  God,  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  J  Maker  of  all  things,  Judge  of  all  men: 

[96]  F 


98  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

here  I  would  stop  and  consider  well  the  import  of 
these  words;  they  contain  four  of  God's  most  com- 
prehensive titles.  First,  He  is  here  said  to  be 
Almighty ;  secondly,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  thirdly,  the  Maker  and  Creator  of  all  things  ; 
fourthly,  the  Judge  of  all  men.  The  consideration 
of  the  first  and  last  will  provoke  us  to  godly  sor- 
row, and  the  second  and  third  will  excite  our  hope 
in  his  mercy.  So  that  from  hence  we  may  take 
occasion  to  exercise  acts  of  sorrow  and  humiliation, 
of  hope  and  love,  &c.  thus, — I  consider,  O  my  God, 
that  I  have  offended  Thee,  who  art  Almighty,  and, 
therefore,  able  to  punish ;  hut  I  consider,  too,  that 
Thou  art  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and, 
therefore,  1  cannot  doubt  of  thy  love  to  me,  and  of 
thy  readiness  to  forgive  me,  who  repent  and  turn  to 
Thee.  Such  ejaculations  might  be  formed  from 
each  of  these  particulars,  or  from  any  other 
branches  of  the  communion  office ;  but  because 
all  people  are  not  able  to  form  such  acts,  I  have 
taken  the  liberty  of  adding  several  acts  of  the 
most  considerable  virtues  of  a  Christian  life;  for 
no  moments  of  this  holy  season  should  be  lost,  all 
these  precious  minutes  should  be  husbanded  to  the 
greatest  advantage,  for  they  will  have  a  mighty 
influence  upon  our  whole  lives,  and  by  being  fre- 
quently repeated  they  will  stock  our  minds  with  a 
variety  of  good  thoughts,  which  may  prove  ad- 
mirable helps  all  the  remaining  part  of  our  days. 
If  we  have  not  time  for  this  spiritual  improve- 
ment in  the  church,  it  will  be  very  proper  to  make 
use  of  them  in  our  closets ;  for  days  set  apart  for 
the  public  worship  of  God  should  have  a  larger 
share  of  our  private  devotions,  and  then  the  sense 
of  religion  will  stick  closer  to  our  minds,  when  we 
mix  again  with  the  world,  and  return  to  our  secular 
employments. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  99 


Acts  of  Faith, 

I  BELIEVE,  O  God,  that  Thou  art  an  eternal, 
incomprehensible  Spirit,  infinite  in  all  perfections, 
who  didst  make  all  things  out  of  nothing,  and  dost 
govern  them  all  by  thy  wise  providence. 

Let  me  always  adore  Thee  with  profound  hu- 
mility, as  my  Sovereign  Lord ;  and  help  me  to  love 
and  praise  Thee  with  godlike  affections,  and  suit- 
able devotion. 

I  believe,  O  God,  that  in  the  unity  of  thy  God- 
head there  is  a  trinity  of  persons  ;  that  Thou  art 
perfectly  one,  and  perfectly  three  :  one  essence,  and 
three  persons;  the  depth  of  this  mystery  I  cannot 
comprehend,  but  I  firmly  believe  it,  because  Thou 
hast  revealed  it  in  thy  holy  word,  who  art  infinite 
truth  ;  and  I  will  praise  and  adore  the  Holy  Trinity, 
to  whose  service  I  was  religiously  dedicated  in  bap- 
tism, as  the  joint  authors  of  my  salvation. 

I  believe,  O  blessed  Jesus,  that  Thou  art  of  one 
substance  with  the  Father,  the  very  and  eternal 
God ;  that  Thou  didst  take  upon  thee  our  frail 
nature ;  that  Thou  didst  truly  suffer,  and  wert  cru- 
cified, dead,  and  buried,  to  reconcile  us  to  thy 
Father,  and  to  be  a  sacrifice  for  sin. 

I  believe,  O  Almighty  Love,  that  according  to 
the  types  and  prophecies  which  went  before  of  Thee, 
and  according  to  thy  own  infallible  prediction,  Thou 
didst  by  thine  own  power  rise  from  the  dead  the 
third  day,  that  Thou  didst  ascend  into  heaven,  that 
there  Thou  sittest  on  thy  throne  of  glory,  adored  by 
angels,  and  interceding  for  sinners. 

I  believe,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  hast  instituted  and 
ordained  holy  mysteries  as  pledges  of  thy  love,  and 
for  a  continual  commemoration  of  thy  death ;  that 
Thou  hast  not  only  given  thyself  to  die  for  me,  but 
to  be  my  spiritual  food  and  sustenance  in  that  holy 
y2 


100  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

Sacrament,  to  my  great  and  endless  comfort!  O 
may  I  frequently  approach  thy  altar  with  humility 
and  devotion !  and  work  in  me  all  those  holy  and 
heavenly  affections,  which  become  the  remembrance 
of  a  crucified  Saviour. 

1  believe,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  hast  not  abandoned 
me  to  the  dim  light  of  my  own  reason,  to  conduct 
me  to  happiness ;  but  that  Thou  hast  revealed  in 
the  holy  Scriptures  whatever  is  necessary  for  me 
to  believe  and  practise,  in  order  to  my  eternal  sal- 
vation. 

O  Truth  !  Eternal  Truth !  I  am  entirely  satisfied 
in  believing  thy  holy  word,  because  it  came  from 
Thee,  who  art  infinitely  wise  and  omniscient,  and, 
therefore,  canst  not  be  deceived ;  who  art  infi- 
nitely good,  and,  therefore,  wilt  not  deceive  thy 
creatures. 

0  how  noble  and  excellent  are  the  precepts! 
how  sublime  and  enhghtening  the  truth !  how  per- 
suasive and  strong  the  motives !  how  powerful  the 
assistances  of  thy  holy  religion,  in  which  Thou  hast 
instructed  me  !  my  delight  shall  be  in  thy  statutes, 
and  I  will  not  forget  thy  word. 

1  believe,  O  blessed  Master,  it  is  my  greatest 
honour  and  happincvss  to  be  thy  disciple  ;  how  mi- 
serable and  blind  are  those  who  live  without  God  in 
the  world,  who  despise  the  light  of  thy  holy  faith ! 
make  me  ready  to  part  with  all  the  enjoyments 
of  life,  nay,  even  life  itself,  rather  than  forfeit  this 
jewel  of  great  price.  Blessed  are  the  sufferings 
which  are  endured,  happy  is  the  death  which  is 
undergone,  for  heavenly  and  immortal  truth ! 

I  believe  Thou  hast  threatened  everlasting  and 
inconceivable  torments  to  those  who  hold  the  truth 
in  unrighteousness,  and  who  obey  not  the  Gospel 
of  Christ.  O  just  punishment  of  those  who  do  not 
love  Thee ! 

But  if  I  believe  this  fatal  doom,  why  am  I  not 
afraid  of  it  ?  why  are    the   evils   of   the  body  so 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  101 

much  shunned,  and  those  of  the  soul  so  little  re- 
garded ?  why  do  I  take  so  much  pains  to  avoid  the 
short  and  transitory  evils  of  this  life,  and  so  little 
pains  to  avoid  those  which  are  eternal? 

I  believe  Thou  hast  prepared,  O  Lord,  for  those 
that  love  Thee,  everlasting  mansions  of  glory.  If  I 
believe  Thee,  O  eternal  happiness,  why  does  any 
thing  appear  difficult  that  leads  to  Thee  ?  why 
should  I  not  willingly  resist  unto  blood  to  obtain 
Thee?  why  do  the  vain  and  empty  enjoyments  of 
life  take  such  fast  hold  of  me?  O  perishing  time! 
why  dost  thou  thus  bewitch  and  deceive  me?  O 
blessed  eternity !  when  shalt  thou  be  my  portion 
for  ever? 

Acts  of  Hope. 

O  MY  God !  in  all  my  dangers,  temporal  and 
spiritual,  I  will  hope  in  Thee,  who  art  almighty 
power,  and,  therefore,  able  to  relieve  me ;  who  art 
infinite  goodness,  and,  therefore,  ready  and  willing 
to  assist  me ! 

Greater  is  thy  mercy,  O  blessed  Jesus,  than  my 
wickedness ;  thy  goodness  exceeds  the  number  and 
heinousness  of  my  sins;  greater  is  thy  power,  O 
God,  than  the  lury  of  my  enemies ;  therefore, 
when  my  fears  press  hardest  upon  me,  I  will  put 
my  trust  and  confidence  in  Thee. 

0  precious  blood  of  my  dear  Redeemer !  O 
gaping  wounds  of  my  crucified  Saviour!  who  can 
contemplate  the  sufferings  of  God  incarnate,  and 
not  raise  his  hope,  and  not  put  his  trust  in  them  ? 

1  firmly  hope,  O  my  God,  for  the  pardon  of  all 
my  sins,  which  I  heartily  bewail  and  detest ;  I 
firmly  hope  to  obtain  the  virtues  and  graces  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  which  I  am  resolved  sincerely  to  en- 
deavour after  ;  I  wait  and  expect  thy  eternal  glory, 
which  shall  alwa^'s  be  the  aim  of  all  my  longing 
desires. 

f3 


102  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

What  though  my  body  be  crumbled  into  dust, 
and  that  dust  blown  over  the  face  of  the  earth ; 
yet  T  undoubtedly  know  my  Redeemer  lives,  and 
shall  raise  me  up  at  the  last  day. 

Whether  I  am  comforted,  or  left  desolate ; 
whether  I  enjoy  peace,  or  am  afflicted  with  temp- 
tations; whether  I  am  healthful  or  sickly,  suc- 
coured or  abandoned  by  the  good  things  of  this 
life,  I  will  always  hope  in  Thee,  O  my  chiefest 
infinite  good  ! 

**  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  nei- 
ther shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines ;  although  the  labour 
of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield 
no  meat;  the  flock  shall  be  cutoff"  from  the  fold, 
and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls  ;  yet  I  will 
rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my 
salvation  \" 

What  though  I  mourn  and  am  afflicted  here,  and 
sigh  under  the  miseries  of  this  world  for  a  time;  I 
am  sure  my  tears  shall  one  day  be  turned  into  joy, 
and  that  joy  none  shall  take  from  me. 

I  should  too  much  injure  thy  charity  and  thy 
sufferings,  O  blessed  Jesus,  if  I  had  not  a  firm  hope 
of  working  out  my  salvation. 

Great  is  the  malice  of  the  powers  of  darkness, 
and  great  is  my  own  weakness:  but  how  much 
greater  is  thy  goodness  and  thy  might,  O  my  gra- 
cious God  !  I  will,  therefore,  work  out  my  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling ;  but  as  long  as  I  live,  I 
will  hope  in  thy  mercy. 

O  miserable  wretch  that  I  am !  If  I  hope,  why 
do  not  my  endeavours  answer  my  hopes?  If  I 
hope  to  obtain  the  grace  of  God  to  overcome  my 
follies  and  to  acquire  all  necessary  virtues,  why  do 
I  not  labour  to  such  holy  purposes  ? 

Wlioever  hopes  for  great  things  in  this  world, 
takes  pains  to  attain  them  ;  how  can  my  hopes  of 

'  Habakkukiii.  17,  18. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  103 

everlasting  life  be  well  grounded,  if  I  do  not  strive 
and  labour  for  that  eternal  inheritance? 

I  will  never  refuse  the  meanest  labours,  while  I 
look  to  receive  such  glorious  wages ;  I  will  never 
repine  at  any  temporal  loss,  while  I  expect  to  gain 
such  eternal  rewards. 

Blessed  hope !  be  thou  my  chief  delight  in  life, 
and  then  I  shall  be  stedfast  and  unmoveable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord ;  be  Thou  my 
comfort  and  support  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  then 
I  shall  contentedly  leave  this  world,  as  a  captive 
that  is  released  from  his  imprisonment. 

Acts  of  Love, 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  Thou  art  infinite 
in  all  excellences  and  perfections,  and,  therefore, 
art  the  most  proper  object  of  the  love  and  adoration 
of  immortal  souls;  Thou  art  infinite  in  goodness 
and  loving-kindness  towards  me,  and,  therefore, 
hast  the  justest  claim  to  my  heart. 

O  infinite  amiableness !  when  shall  I  love  Thee 
without  bounds,  without  coldness  or  interruption, 
which,  alas!  so  often  seize  me  here  below?  Let 
me  never  suflTer  any  creature  to  be  thy  rival,  or  to 
share  my  heart  with  Thee;  let  me  have  no  other 
God,  no  other  love,  but  only  Thee. 

Whatever  is  amiable  in  the  creatures  is  derived 
from  Thee,  and  is  no  farther  amiable  than  it  bears 
some  impression  of  thy  amiableness  ;  their  good- 
ness is  imperfect  and  mixed  with  much  evil,  but 
Thou  only  art  perfectly  excellent ;  O  let  the  v/orld 
never  more  have  place  in  my  heart!  all  my  affec- 
tions I  withdraw  from  that,  to  fix  on  Thee. 

O  dear  Jesus,  who  didst  love  me  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  Thou  wert  pleased  for  my  sake  to  endure 
a  painful  and  shameful  death,  how  is  it  possible  I 
can  live  without  loving  Thee  ? 

O  how  much  is  it  the  grief  of  my  heart,  that  my 
F  4 


104  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

love  is  so  imperfect,  so  little  fixed  upon  the  de- 
serving object?  O  when  shall  I  love  Thee  to  the 
utmost  capacity  of  a  creature,  and  praise  Thee  to 
all  eternity  ? 

How  afflicting  it  is  to  me  not  to  love  Thee  as 
much  as  I  desire !  alas !  when  shall  I  love  Thee 
with  all  my  strength?  when  shall  all  carnal  affec- 
tions die  in  me,  and  all  things  belonging  to  the 
Spirit  live  and  grow  in  me?  when  shall  I  be  will- 
ing to  lay  down  my  life  for  Thee,  who  hast  shed  thy 
precious  blood  for  me  ? 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  continually  exercise 
upon  earth  what  the  blessed  saints  practise  with  so 
much  fervour  in  heaven  ;  the  glories  and  pleasures 
of  that  happy  region  would  be  imperfect,  if  the 
flame  of  love  did  not  continually  burn  before  Thee. 

Whoever  loves,  desires  to  please  the  beloved 
object :  and  according  to  the  degree  of  love  is  the 
greatness  of  desire  :  make  me,  O  God,  diligent  and 
earnest  in  pleasing  Thee;  let  me  cheerfully  discharge 
the  most  painful  and  costly  duties,  and  forsake 
friends,  riches,  ease,  and  life  itself,  rather  than 
disobey  Thee. 

Whoever  loves,  desires  the  welfare  and  happi- 
ness of  the  beloved  object :  but  Thou,  O  dear  Jesus, 
canst  receive  no  addition  from  my  imperfect  ser- 
vices ;  what  shall  I  do  to  express  my  affection  to- 
wards Thee?  I  will  relieve  the  necessities  of  my  poor 
brethren  who  are  members  of  thy  body  ;  for  he  that 
loveth  not  his  brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can 
he  love  God  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ? 

I  will  pray  without  ceasing,  and  seriously  medi- 
tate upon  thy  precepts;  I  wall  hear  thy  word  with 
reverence  and  attention,  and  receive  the  holy  sacra- 
ment with  humility  and  devotion  ;  for  these  are  the 
methods  Thou  hast  established  of  conversing  with 
Thee,  of  uniting  us  to  Thee,  and  are  the  only  means 
whereby  I  can  enjoy  Thee  here  below. 

Alas  !  how  is  all  my  time  unprofitable,  my  labour 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  105 

lost,  my  actions  and  sufferings  vain,  when  they  are 
not  employed  in  thy  service,  when  they  are  not 
endured  for  the  love  of  Thee,  my  God ! 

I  will  long  for  thy  appearing,  O  blessed  Jesus, 
because  it  will  transform  me  into  thy  likeness, 
because  it  will  enter  me  into  the  full  enjoyment  of 
Thee,  and  unite  me  to  Thee  for  ever  :  the  utmost 
labour  of  all  my  days  is  little  enough ;  the  service 
of  my  whole  life  short  enough,  and  no  more  than 
sufficient  to  secure  this  eternal  inheritance. 

O  crucified  Jesus,  in  whom  I  live,  and  without 
whom  I  die  !  mortify  in  me  sensual  desires,  inflame 
my  heart  with  thy  holy  love,  that  I  may  no  longer 
esteem  the  vanities  of  this  world,  but  place  my 
affections  entirely  on  Thee. 

Let  my  last  breath,  when  my  soul  shall  leave  my 
body,  breathe  forth  love  to  Thee,  my  God :  I  en- 
tered into  life  without  acknowledging  Thee  ;  let  me, 
therefore,  finish  it  in  loving  Thee  :  O  let  the  last 
act  of  life  be  love  ! 

Acts  of  Conformity  to  the  Will  of  God. 

Blessed  will  of  God !  how  just  and  upright  art 
Thou  in  all  thy  determinations  !  how  good  and  ami- 
able in  all  thy  dispensations !  they  only  love  Thee 
not,  who  know  Thee  not ;  and  they  who  know  Thee 
not,  how  miserable  are  they ! 

What  art  Thou,  O  Lord  ?  and  what  am  I  ?  Thou 
art  all  wisdom,  I  am  all  blindness  and  ignorance : 
choose  Thou  for  me,  let  thy  holy  will  be  done  in 
me  and  by  me,  because,  if  I  should  choose  and  will 
for  myself,  all  would  be  vanity,  rashness,  and  folly. 

Thou  art  a  God  infinite  in  mercy  and  loving- 
kindness,  and  therefore  wilt  order  all  things  to  my 
greatest  advantage.  Wo  to  me  !  when  my  will  is 
not  obedient  and  resigned  to  thy  blessed  will  in 
every  thing. 

O  my  God,  Thou  canst  will  nothing  but  that 
F  5 


106  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

which  is  truly  good,  and  I  am  capable  of  willing 
every  thing  that  is  monstrously  evil !  I,  therefore, 
renounce  my  own  will,  I  submit  to  be  entirely 
governed  by  thine. 

The  designs  of  thy  mercy  are  to  make  me  happy 
to  all  eternity,  and  my  perverse  inclinations  run 
after  present  pleasures,  how  contrary  soever  they 
may  be  to  thy  gracious  purposes.  It  is,  therefore, 
reasonable,  O  Lord,  that  I  should  distrust  my  own 
guidance,  and  that  thy  blessed  will  should  direct  all 
my  ways. 

Holiness  is  the  path  my  God  hath  chalked  out  to 
everlasting  bliss;  may  thy  holy  will  be  accomplished 
in  me,  and  then  I  shall  be  sanctified  by  thy  grace 
in  this  world,  and  glorified  in  the  enjoyment  of 
thyself  in  the  next. 

Thy  will,  O  blessed  Jesus,  is  that  I  should  avoid 
all  sin,  and  purify  myself  as  Thou  art  pure  ;  my  own 
will  does  but  too  often  prevail  upon  me  to  transgress 
thy  holy  laws.  Thy  will  shall  be  my  rule,  because 
it  makes  me  do  every  thing  that  is  good. 

How  true  is  it,  O  my  Jesus,  that  Thou  art  my 
Lord  and  Master,  my  omnipotent  Sovereign !  how 
fit  and  reasonable,  therefore,  is  it,  that  thy  will  in 
every  thing  should  be  my  choice  and  satisfaction  ! 

Consider  well,  O  my  soul,  that  upon  two  wills 
depends  either  thy  happiness  or  thy  misery ;  upon 
the  will  of  God,  thy  happiness ;  upon  thy  own 
will,  thy  misery;  consider  well  to  which  thou 
choosest  to  unite  thyself,  because  eternal  happiness 
and  eternal  misery  are  of  too  great  importance  to 
be  neglected. 

It  is  easy,  O  Lord,  to  submit  to  thy  will,  when 
it  is  pleasing  and  agreeable  to  our  natures ;  but  it 
certainly  is  no  less  our  duty  when  Thou  thinkest  fit 
to  try  us  with  difficulties,  and  to  contradict  the 
inclinations  of  flesh  and  blood. 

In  all  thy  sufferings,  in  thy  painful  crucifixion 
and  shameful  death,  O  my  dear  Jesus,  Thou  didst 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  107 

entirely  resign  thyself  to  the  will  of  thy  Father. 
Shall  I  murmur  against  less  sufferings,  which  I 
have  so  much  deserved?  shall  I  not  quietly  and 
patiently  submit  to  them. 

If  I  do  not  love  Thee,  O  my  God,  more  than  my- 
self, I  am  not  worthy  of  Thee  ;  if  I  do  not  prefer 
thy  will  to  my  own,  it  is  much  to  be  feared  I  do  not 
love  Thee.  O  my  God !  I  will  deny  myself,  to  be 
made  perfect  in  love. 

Thy  will,  O  God,  is  thy  blessed  self:  they,  there- 
fore, who  refuse  to  follow  thy  will,  declare  that  Thou 
shalt  not  reign  over  them,  that  they  desire  not  the 
knowledge  of  thy  ways.  It  is  Thee  I  desire,  O  my 
God ;  I  renounce  my  own  will,  therefore,  to  follow 
thine. 


Acts  of  Virtue  in  relation  to  the  Passion  of  our 
Saviour, 

Whither  has  love  carried  Thee,  O  blessed  Jesus? 
even  to  the  j)ainful  and  shameful  death  of  the  cross, 
for  my  sake.  O  how  imperfect  is  my  love,  if  afflic- 
tions or  crosses  are  able  to  separate  me  from  Thee ! 
or  if  I  am  not  willing  to  endure  the  greatest  tor- 
ments rather  than  forsake  Thee ! 

Thou  wert,  O  Jesus,  so  in  love  with  sufferings  for 
me,  that  rather  than  come  down  from  the  cross, 
Thou  didst  choose  to  expire  upon  it.  Miserable 
wretch  that  I  am  !  how  does  my  flesh  and  blood 
start  at  the  very  appearance  of  a  violent  death, 
though  it  might  be  necessary  as  a  testimony  of  the 
truth  of  my  affection  towards  Thee  ! 

Thy  sacred  head  was  crowned  with  thorns,  and 
all  thy  body  ploughed  with  scourges,  but  my  sins 
and  follies  added  sharpness  to  them,  and  pierced 
Thee  and  wounded  Thee  more  than  the  thorns  and 
scourges  themselves.  O !  how  I  grieve  and  love, 
when  I  consider  my  iniquities  drew  upon  Thee  all 
F  6 


108  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

thy  sorrows ;  those  exquisite  pains  and  torments 
in  thy  body!  those  inexpressible  fears  and  anguish 
in  thy  soul ! 

I  do  for  ever,  O  Lord,  detest  and  abjure  those 
sins  that  were  thy  tormentors !  I  will  persecute 
those  vile  lusts  and  affections  that  crucified  Thee  ; 
I  will  fly  from  all  appearance  of  evil. 

Is  it  possible  not  to  love  Thee,  O  blessed  Saviour, 
above  all  things,  who  hast  delivered  me  from  such 
imperious  masters  ?  is  it  possible  to  remember  that 
my  sins  occasioned  all  thy  grief,  and  ever  to  offend 
Thee  more  ? 

What  does  my  soul  long  for  ?  what  is  the  desire 
of  my  heart  ?  is  it  possible  that  empty  frail  creatures 
only  should  rejoice  and  delight  it,  when  divine  love 
displays  itself  in  the  bleeding  wounds  of  the  suffer- 
ing Jesus? 

Let  the  fire  of  divine  love  burn  bright  in  my 
soul ;  never  will  I  search  for  any  other  fuel  to 
nourish  this  holy  flame,  than  thy  scourges  and  thy 
thorns,  than  thy  reed  and  thy  cross  ! 

Thy  whole  life  was  spent  in  doing  good,  and  so 
far  from  indulging  the  pleasures  of  sense,  that  Thou 
hadst  not  where  to  lay  thy  head ;  and  whoever  fre- 
quents the  Christian  sacrifice,  must  be  convinced  at 
what  a  rate  Thou  didst  value  the  welfare  of  man- 
kind; for  Thou  didst  willingly  embrace  all  sorts  of 
sufferings  in  order  to  accomplish  it. 

What  folly  and  rashness  is  it,  therefore,  for  me  to 
be  always  indulging  m3^self  in  sensual  enjoyments : 
to  be  spending  in  follv  and  luxury  those  means 
which  ought  to  be  employed  in  doing  good  to  the 
souls  and  bodies  of  men!  how  unlike  is  this  to  that 
example  Thou  hast  set  before  me,  and  to  that  dis- 
position of  mind  Thou  requirest  of  me! 

Alas  !  suffering  can  only  affright  those  that  con- 
sider themselves,  and  not  Thee  ;  that  love  them- 
selves, and  not  Thee,  O  my  crucified  Jesus.    Thou 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  109 

wert  made  perfect  through  sufferings,  and  can  I 
behold  and  love  such  a  blessed  pattern,  and  not 
desh-e  to  suffer  with  Thee,  and  to  die  for  Thee  ? 

Who  can  fathom  this  abyss  of  divine  love  ?  I  am 
the  criminal,  and  Thou,  O  blessed  Jesus,art  crucified; 
what  ought  I  not  to  have  suffered,  to  have  gained 
an  interest  in  Thee  ?  and  yet  what  hast  Thou  not 
suffered,  to  purchase  such  a  wretch  as  I  am  ? 

I  have  offended  Thee,  and  Thou  reconcilest  me 
with  thy  own  blood :  I  occasioned  thy  death,  and 
Thou  givest  me  life  :  was  there  ever  any  love  like 
that  love  which  my  Lord  and  my  God  has  showed 
towards  me  ? 

When  I  consider  Thee,  O  dear  Jesus,  what  Thou 
art  in  thyself,  and  what  Thou  art  to  me,  I  feel 
myself  constrained  to  love  Thee.  Where  shall  I 
discover  greater  excellences  and  perfections  to  raise 
my  admiration?  where  shall  I  find  greater  bounty 
and  goodness  to  engage  my  affections  ? 

Acts  of  Humility, 

O  MY  God !  Thou  art  the  eternal  source  of  all 
excellency  and  perfection  ;  and  I,  miserable  wretch  ! 
what  am  I  ?  nothing  but  poor  dust  and  ashes,  folly 
and  vanity.  It  is  reasonable,  therefore,  I  should 
obey  Thee,  because  Thou  art  infinitely  above  me  ; 
that  I  should  submit  to  Thee  in  all  things,  without 
grudging,  without  murmuring,  because  Thou  art 
infinite  wisdom. 

Blessed  humility !  when  shall  I  possess  Thee  ? 
when  shall  I  enjoy  that  tranquillity  of  mind,  which 
is  only  found  among  those  that  love  and  obey  Thee  ? 
when  shall  I  be  adorned  with  that  comeliness  and 
beauty,  which  Thou  only  canst  bestow  ? 

What  have  I,  O  Lord,  whereof  to  glory  ?  if  of 
my  body,  it  is  nothing  but  vile  clay,  moulded  by  thy 
omnipotent  hand,  and  must  return  to  rottenness, 


110  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

and  be  the  food  of  worms  :  if  of  my  mind,  it  is  the 
breath  of  life  infused  by  Thee,  and  by  my  own  folly 
made  full  of  sin  and  wickedness.  I  have  gone 
astray  iiom  the  womb,  and  in  sin  did  my  mother 
conceive  me. 

All  the  good  I  possess  comes  from  Thee  :  if  my 
outward  man  has  any  advantages  above  others,  it  is 
the  effect  of  thy  bounty,  from  whence  proceeds 
health  and  strength,  beauty  and  comeliness,  and 
upon  thy  will  they  depend,  to  be  recalled  at  a 
moment:  if  my  mind  has  the  least  excellency,  it  is 
thy  gift,  who  didst  endue  me  with  reason  and  grace: 
all  that  is  my  own  is  the  abuse  of  thy  favours ;  and 
whatever  is  bad  in  me  is  properly  mine, 

I  am  unworthy,  O  Lord,  of  all  thy  gifts,  by 
reason  of  my  vileness  and  ingratitude  ;  I  do  not 
deserve  the  air  1  breathe  in,  because  I  have  infected 
it,  as  it  were,  with  noisome  lusts;  I  do  not  deserve 
the  bread  I  eat,  because  my  table  has  become  a 
snare,  and  the  good  creatures  Thou  hast  given  me 
for  refreshment  have  been  abused  to  luxury  and 
sensuality. 

0  let  me  consider  what  I  am  by  nature,  frail  and 
weak  ;  what  I  am  by  sin,  odious  and  contemptible 
in  thy  sight:  and  let  this  knowledge  of  myself 
suppress  and  mortify  all  proud  and  vain  thoughts ; 
let  a  sense  of  my  own  vileness  and  unworthiness 
make  me  humble  myself,  as  it  were,  in  dust  and 
ashes. 

It  is  the  sincere  desire  of  my  soul,  O  blessed 
Jesus !  it  is  the  firm  choice  of  my  will,  to  be  rather 
a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  to 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

1  will  not  place  my  pleasure  and  satisfaction  in 
the  praise  of  men,  because  it  is  an  uncertain  breath 
of  air,  apt  to  swell  me  with  pride  and  vanity,  and 
is  the  eifect  of  civility  and  charity,  rather  than  of 
what  I  deserve.     I  will  in  all  my  actions  endeavour 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  Ill 

to  please  Thee,  though  it  be  attended  with  ignominy 
and  reproach,  and  though  I  thereby  become  the 
contempt  of  the  scornful. 

O  let  me  bear  the  injuries  and  aflfronts  of  bad 
men  with  patience  and  meekness,  because  I  have 
deserved  much  worse  treatment  from  Thee.  Let 
me  receive  the  reproofs  and  admonitions  of  good 
men  with  thankfulness,  because  I  stand  so  much  in 
need  of  them,  and  because  they  are  so  proper  to 
correct  my  follies. 

O  let  me  never  insult  over  the  follies  and  sins  of 
my  fellow-Christians,  because  I  am  liable  to  the 
same  temptations  ;  let  me  pity  and  compassionate 
their  misfortunes,  because,  if  I  am  not  plunged  in 
the  same  gulph  of  misery,  it  is  wholly  owing  to  thy 
grace  which  has  preserved  me;  to  thy  almighty 
hand  which  hash&ld  me  up. 

How  didst  Thou  condescend,  O  dear  Jesus,  to  be 
born  in  a  stable ;  to  lead  a  life  destitute  of  all  com- 
forts and  accommodations  ;  to  die  upon  a  cross  !  and 
all  this  for  the  good  of  thy  sinful  creatures :  and 
shall  I  think  any  labour  too  grievous,  any  office  too 
mean,  whereby  I  may  be  able  to  promote  the  tem- 
poral and  eternal  happiness  of  my  neighbour? 

Without  Thee,  O  Jesus,  I  can  do  nothing ;  in- 
spire me  with  that  humility  which  Thou  hast  taught 
by  thy  precepts,  and  by  thy  own  example ;  I  will 
endeavour  to  imitate  thy  state  of  humiliation  here 
upon  earth,  that  I  may  partake  of  those  glories 
Thou  now  dost  possess  at  the  right  hand  of  thy 
Father. 

Acts  of  Contrition, 

O  MOST  gracious  God,  who  art  the  inexhaustible 
fountain  of  all  goodness,  who  art  only  amiable  ;  how 
grievously  have  T  offended  Thee  !  what  return  have 
I  made  for  those  graces  and  favours  which  Thou 
hast  bestowed  upon  me  ?  what  tribute  have  1  paid 


112  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

to   thine  infinite  perfections?     I  will  declare   my 
iniquity,  and  be  sorry  for  my  sins. 

I  will  repent,  O  my  God,  of  my  sins  as  the 
greatest  of  evils;  and  the  remembrance  of  them 
shall  be  more  grievous  and  afflicting  to  me,  than 
that  of  any  other  evil  whatsoever ;  for  they  are  the 
offences  of  a  vile  creature  against  Thee,  the  great 
Creator,  the  chiefest  and  most  desirable  good; 
wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and 
ashes. 

I  can  plead  nothing,  O  Lord,  to  extenuate  the 
guilt  of  my  sins;  I  ought  to  have  renounced  every 
thing  that  is  valuable  in  life,  nay,  even  life  itself, 
rather  than  to  have  offended  Thee,  whose  loving- 
kindness  is  better  than  life  :  but  I  do  now  most 
heartily  detest  my  sins,  because  they  are  dis- 
pleasing to  Thee,  who  art  infinite  goodness  ;  and  I 
purpose,  by  the  help  of  thy  grace,  to  live  better  for 
the  time  to  come. 

Thou  hast  graciously  declared,  O  my  chiefest 
good,  that  a  broken  spirit  is  a  sacrifice  acceptable 
to  Thee  ;  that  Thou  wilt  not  despise  a  broken  and  a 
contrite  heart.  O  my  heart!  let  grief  and  sorrow 
rend  thee  in  pieces,  who  hast  hitherto  sacrificed 
thyself  to  a  vain  and  wicked  world. 

If  the  sorrow  of  this  vale  of  tears  could  enter 
into  the  state  of  the  blessed,  even  in  heaven  I 
would  lament  the  ofiences  committed  against  the 
great  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth :  but  whilst  I  am 
here  below  I  will  turn  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  with 
weeping  and  mourning,  and  I  will  choose  the 
greatest  sufferings  rather  than  offend  Thee. 

I  love  Thee,  O  my  God  ;  and  how  much  is  it  the. 
grief  of  my  soul  that  I  have  not  always  loved 
Thee !  that  I  have  not  always  had  a  regard  to  thy 
divine  precepts  !  O  that  my  head  were  waters, 
and  my  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might  weep 
much,  and  love  much,  having  much  to  be  for- 
given. 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  113 

As  my  love  increases  towards  Thee,  O  dear  Jesus, 
so  much  the  more  do  I  grieve  for  my  sins,  which 
made  Thee  a  man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with 
grief:  and  I  am  so  much  the  more  resolved,  by  the 
help  of  thy  grace,  to  abstain  from  all  evil  for  the 
time  to  come,  by  how  much  the  more  I  rejoice  in 
every  thing  that  tends  to  thy  honour  and  glory. 

Oh  !  for  what  empty  shadows  have  I  forfeited 
the  favour  of  the  Most  High;  for  what  trifling 
vanities  have  I  incurred  the  displeasure  of  my  best 
benefactor !  I  have  sinned,  O  Lord,  I  have  sinned 
against  heaven  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am  no  more 
worthy  to  be  called  thy  son  ;  but  I  return  with  the 
prodigal:  O  let  thy  paternal  bowels  yearn  on  me, 
and  graciously  receive  me  ! 

How  can  I  behold  Thee,  O  infinite  goodness,  and 
not  love  Thee  ?  how  can  I  love  Thee,  and  not  grieve 
for  having  offended  Thee?  and  not  detest  my  sins, 
and  not  resolve  to  forsake  them  ?  O  may  I  always 
sincerely  love  Thee,  and  then  I  shall  always  re- 
nounce and  abhor  every  thing  that  is  evil. 

The  torments  of  the  damned  are  justly  the 
objects  of  my  fear ;  and  when  I  consider  that 
they  are  eternal,  I  tremble,  O  Lord,  at  thy  just 
and  omnipotent  wrath,  provoked  by  my  heinous 
transgressions.  But  O  !  let  the  sense  of  having 
offended  infinite  goodness  be  more  grievous  and 
afflicting  to  me,  than  that  of  any  other  evil  what- 
soever. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  hast  Thou  not  redeemed  me  from 
many  and  great  evils  ?  hast  Thou  not  heaped  upon 
me  abundant  testimonies  of  thy  goodness  and 
loving-kindness;  and  yet  have  not  mine  iniquities 
increased  over  my  head,  and  my  trespasses  grown 
unto  the  heavens?  but  I  will  break  off  my  sins  by 
rifjhteousness,  and  mine  iniquities  by  showing  mercy 
to  the  poor. 

O  my  God !  I  will  lie  down  in  shame,  and 
confusion  shall  cover   me.     The    measure   of  mv 


114  Devotions  for  the  Altar. 

sorrow  shall  bear  some  proportion  to  the  heinous- 
ness  of  my  sins.  I  will  keep  under  ray  body  and 
bring  it  into  subjection.  I  will  avoid  all  fresh 
occasions  of  backsliding.  I  will  obey  Thee  in  all 
things,  and  suffer  with  patience  whatsoever  punish- 
ment Thou  shalt  think  fit  to  inflict  upon  me : 
happy,  infinitely  happy !  if  upon  any  terms  I  can 
procure  thy  love  and  favour. 

O  heavenly  Father!  for  thine  own  infinite  mercy's 
sake,  for  thy  truth  and  promise  sake,  for  all  the 
merits  and  sufferings  of  the  Son  of  thy  love,  in 
whom  Thou  art  always  well  pleased,  pardon  all  my 
sins  and  failings,  and  receive  me  into  thy  favour. 
Amen,  O  Lord  God !  Ameiii  Amen, 

Acts  of  Praise. 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  it  is  a  good 
thing  to  sing  praises  unto  our  God  :  O  sing  praises 
unto  his  name,  for  it  is  lovely!  Thy  name,  O 
Lord,  endureth  for  ever,  so  doth  thy  memorial,  O 
Lord,  from  one  generation  to  another.  As  long  as 
I  live,  I  will  praise  the  Lord  ;  as  long  as  I  have  any 
being,  I  will  sing  praises  unto  my  God. 

To  Thee,  O  Lord,  belong  greatness  and  power, 
and  glory,  and  victory,  and  majesty  :  for  all  that  is 
in  the  heaven  and  in  the  earth  is  thine  ;  thine  is  the 
kingdom,  O  Lord,  and  Thou  art  exalted  as  head 
above  all.  Blessed  and  praised  be  thy  holy  name,' 
O  Lord  God,  for  ever  and  for  ever. 

Thou  art  the  everlasting  and  eternal  King  ;  be- 
fore the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or  ever 
Thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world,  from 
everlasting  to  everlasting  Thou  art  God.  I  will 
trust  in  the  Lord  for  ever,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah 
is  everlasting  strength. 

Thou  art,  O  Lord,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day, 
and  for  ever,  and  thy  years  fail  not.  Thy  good- 
ness, thy  power,  thy   wisdom,  and  thy  righteous- 


Devotions  for  the  Altar.  115 

ness  endure  for  ever;  with  Thee  is  no  variableness 
nor  shadow  of  turning.  The  counsel  of  the  Lord 
standeth  for  ever,  and  the  thoughts  of  his  heart 
to  all  generations.  The  wicked,  therefore,  must 
feel  the  power  of  thy  wrath,  the  weight  of  thy 
almighty  arm  ;  and  Thou  wilt  give  grace  and  glory, 
and  withhold  no  good  thing  from  them  that  live 
a  godly  life. 

Praised  be  thy  being  which  knows  no  bounds 
or  limits,  but  doth  spread  and  diffuse  itself  every 
way,  beyond  the  capacity  of  our  shallow  imagina- 
tion. The  darkest  corners  and  the  most  private 
recesses  cannot  exclude  thy  presence.  Whither 
shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit?  or  whither  shall  I  flee 
from  thy  presence  ?  can  any  hide  himself  in  secret 
that  Thou  shalt  not  see  him,  who  fillest  heaven  and 
earth  ? 

Thou  art  an  Almighty  God:  is  any  thing  too 
hard  for  Thee  ?  The  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  proposed 
it,  who  shall  disannul  it  ?  Thou  art  able  to  make 
good  all  thy  promises,  and  none  can  stay  thy  hand. 
Thou  canst  inflict  the  greatest  punishment  upon 
the  wicked,  and  none  can  withstand  thy  power. 
Who  can  resist  the  destruction  which  the  Lord 
sends  ?  they  only  are  secure  of  a  safe  refuge  who 
abide  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty. 

Praised  be  the  Lord,  who  only  searcheth  the 
hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men  ;  there  is  not  a 
word  in  the  tongue,  but  Thou  knowest  it  alto- 
gether ;  thine  eyes  are  upon  the  ways  of  man,  and 
Thou  seest  all  his  goings.  There  is  no  darkness 
where  the  workers  of  iniquity  can  hide  themselves. 
Let  all  the  earth  love  and  fear  Thee,  for  Thou 
knowest,  and  canst  reward  their  services.  Let  the 
faithful  call  upon  Thee  in  all  their  straits,  for  thy 
ear  is  open  to  their  cry.  And  let  every  one  prepare 
for  that  dreadful  tribunal,  where  every  thought 
shall  be  brought  into  judgment.  God  is  greater 
than  our  hearts,  and  knoweth  all  things. 


116  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

O  Lord  !  how  manifold  are  thy  works,  in  wis- 
dom hast  Thou  made  them  all ;  Thou  hast  framed 
all  things  in  number,  weight,  and  measure,  and 
governest  them  with  the  best  order  and  greatest 
harmony.  Thou  choosest  what  is  best  for  us,  and 
prescribest  the  best  means  for  the  advancement  of 
our  happiness.  But  that  wisdom  can  never  be 
sufficiently  praised,  which  is  manifested  in  the 
stupendous  mystery  of  mau's  redemption,  where 
all  the  divine  attributes  shine  with  the  greatest 
lustre;  which,  to  them  that  are  saved,  is  the  power 
of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God.  Happy  is  the 
man  that  findeth  this  wisdom,  that  getteth  this 
Understanding. 

Praised  be  thy  name,  who  keepest  truth  for  ever, 
who  wilt  not  suffer  thy  faithfulness  to  fail,  nor  alter 
the  thing  that  is  gone  out  of  thy  mouth.  Heaven 
and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  thy  words  shall  not 
pass  away,  till  all  things  be  fulfilled.  Thou  art  a 
God  of  truth,  without  iniquity  and  deceit ;  no 
deceitful  person  shall  rest  upon  thy  holy  hill ;  he 
that  telleth  lies  shall  not  tarry  in  thy  sight. 

The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways,  and  holy 
in  all  his  works.  He  will  not  clear  the  guilty,  nor 
respect  the  persons  of  men,  but  rewardeth  every 
man  according  to  his  work.  Tribulation  and  an- 
guish shall  be  the  portion  of  every  soul  that  loveth 
evil ;  but  glory,  honour,  and  peace,  shall  be  to 
every  man  that  worketh  good. 

Thou  art  a  holy  God,  and  of  purer  eyes  than  to 
behold  iniquity,  and  hast  no  pleasure  in  wicked- 
ness. It  is  contrary  to  the  purity  of  thy  nature,  to 
the  perfection  of  thy  laws,  and  to  those  pleasures 
which  are  at  thy  right  hand  for  evermore.  Let  us, 
therefore,  put  on  the  new  man,  which  after  God  is 
created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness  ;  let  us 
purify  ourselves  as  God  is  pure,  for  without  holiness 
no  man  can  see  the  Lord. 

Praised  be  the  Lord  for  his  great  goodness  which 


Devotions  for  tJie  Altar,  117 

is  extended  to  all  his  creatures,  and  for  the  wonders 
which  He  doth  for  the  children  of  men.  Whatever 
appears  good  in  the  best  of  thy  creatures  is  derived 
from  Thee  ;  the  earth  is  full  of  thy  goodness,  and 
nothing  is  hid  from  the  influence  of  it.  Thou 
loadest  us  with  thy  blessings,  that  Thou  mayest  en- 
gage us  to  returns  of  love  and  gratitude  ;  and  if  we 
are  bound  in  fetters,  and  held  in  the  cords  of  afflic- 
tion, it  is  that  we  may  see  our  transgressions  and 
turn  from  our  iniquities,  and  still  Thou  waitest  to 
be  gracious.  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord 
for  his  goodness,  and  declare  the  wonders  that  He 
doth  for  the  children  of  men  ! 

A  Prayer  which  may  he  used  at  any  time  in  the 
week  before  the  Sunday  or  Holy -day  on  which  loe 
design  to  communicate,  and  which  may  properly 
be  annexed  to  our  Morning  Devotions  at  such 
times. 

Most  gracious  and  merciful  God,  who  hast  by 
thy  minister  given  me  an  invitation  to  thy  heavenly 
feast,  grant  me  grace  to  approach  thy  holy  mys- 
teries with  penitential  preparation,  and  with  a  heart 
fully  disposed  to  serve  and  obey  Thee  all  the  days 
of  my  life. 

Enable  me,  O  my  God,  I  most  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  to  examine  the  state  of  my  own  mind,  to  com- 
pare my  actions  with  the  rule  of  thy  laws,  that 
nothing  contrary  to  thy  holy  will  may  ever  find  a 
settled  abode  in  my  soul ;  Thou  knowest  all  that 
load  of  impiety  and  guilt  under  which  I  lie ;  help 
me,  therefore,  so  impartially  to  judge  and  condemn 
myself,  so  humbly  to  repent  and  beg  pardon,  that 
I  may  not  be  condemned  at  thy  dreadful  tribunal : 
but,  alas!  after  the  most  strict  examination  we 
can  make,  who  can  number  his  impieties  ?  who  can 
tell  how  oft  he  offendeth?  cleanse  me,   therefore, 


118  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

O  Lord,  from  my  secret  faults,  which  in  general  I 
renounce  and  bewail. 

O  my  God,  who  alone  canst  order  the  unruly 
wills  and  affections  of  sinful  men,  be  pleased  to 
change  my  heart  into  an  entire  love  of  Thee,  that  I 
may  be  unfeignedly  sorry  for  having  offended  Thee, 
who  art  infinite  goodness  ;  that  with  a  broken  and 
contrite  heart  I  may  grieve  and  mourn,  and  repent 
for  all  wry  former  sins,  and  may  for  ever  forsake 
them,  and  for  the  future  stedfastly  purpose  to  lead 
a  neiv  life,  that  I  may  renew  my  baptismal  vow, 
and  hereafter  live  as  a  sworn  votary  to  thy  love. 

O  heavenly  Father,  settle  in  my  soul  a  lively 
faith  in  thy  mercy  through  Christ,  a  stedfast  belief 
of  all  thy  love  to  sinners,  and  an  afiectionate  reli- 
ance on  the  merits  and  mediation  of  thy  crucified 
Son ;  of  my  being  accepted  in  the  beloved,  for 
whom  I  will  ever  adore  and  praise  Thee. 

0  my  crucified  God,  let  the  remembrance  of  thy 
death  set  all  the  powers  of  my  soul  on  work,  that  I 
may  desire  and  pant  after  Thee  ;  that  I  may  admire 
and  adore  Thee ;  that  I  may  take  heavenly  delight 
in  thy  gracious  presence ;  that  with  praise  and 
thanksgiving  I  may  receive  Thee  in  my  heart,  and 
always  entertain  Thee  with  pious  dispositions,  and 
devout  affections. 

1  see,  O  blessed  Jesus,  in  the  memorial  of  thy 
sufferings,  how  Thou  didst  forgive  me,  and  didst  love 
me  when  I  was  thy  enemy;  give  me  grace  to  love 
my  neighbour,  and  to  he  in  charity  with  all  men;  to 
forgive  all  my  enemies,  and  to  be  at  peace  with  all 
the  world,  as  I  desire  to  be  beloved,  and  forgiven, 
and  to  be  at  peace  with  Thee.  All  that  have  any 
way  injured  me  I  freely  forgive,  for  thy  sake,  O 
Lord;  and  if  I  have  wronged  or  injured  my  neigh- 
bour, give  me  grace  to  beg  his  pardon  ;  and,  as  I 
have  opportunity,  to  make  him  satisfaction  and  re- 
stitution according  to  my  power.     Whenever  I  see 


Devotions  for  the  Altar,  119 

any  of  thy  poor  members  hungry,  or  naked,  or  in 
distress,  let  the  remembrance  of  thy  love,  in  dying 
for  me,  engage  me  to  contribute  all  I  can  to  their 
relief;  may  they  ever  liberally  partake  of  what  I 
enjoy,  since  Thou  wert  so  liberal  of  thy  inestimable 
blood  for  me. 

Thus  prepared,  O  Lord,  let  me  approach  thy 
holy  table,  and  so  eat  the  flesh  of  thy  dear  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  and  drink  his  blood,  that  my  sinful 
body  may  be  made  clean  by  his  body,  and  my  soul 
washed  through  his  most  precious  blood,  that  I  may 
evermore  dwell  in  Him,  and  He  in  me.     Amen. 

A  Prayer  in  our  retirement,  after  we  are  returned 
home  from  the  Lord's  table,  ivhich  may  he  added 
to  our  Evening  Devotions. 

I  ACKNOWLEDGE,  O  Lord  my  God,  with  all 
thankfulness  of  heart,  thy  great  mercy  and  good- 
ness communicated  to  me  this  day,  in  giving  me 
an  opportunity  of  approaching  thy  holy  table,* and 
disposing  my  mind  to  commemorate  the  infinite 
love  of  my  crucified  Saviour :  to  render  Him  thanks 
and  praise  for  laying  down  his  life  as  a  sacrifice  for 
the  sins  of  the  world ;  and  to  represent  unto  Thee 
that  sacrifice,  as  a  full  satisfaction  for  them ;  where- 
by Thou  dost  incline  me  humbly  to  hope  for  all  the 
benefits  of  his  death  and  passion. 

How  many,  O  Lord,  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  all  the 
pressing  exhortations  of  thy  ministers  ;  and  beino- 
influenced  by  the  cares,  and  riches,  and  pleasures 
of  life,  when  they  are  invited,  refuse  to  come! 
How  many  pious  and  devout  souls  are  deprived  of 
the  blessed  advantage  of  this  highest  and  most 
solemn  act  of  rehgion  !  and  how  many  sincere  and 
faithful  Christians  are  oppressed  with  scruples, 
dejected  with  fear,  so  that  they  dare  not  venture 
to  partake  of  the  holy  mysteries  ! 

What  thanks,  therefore,  most  gracious  God,  can 


120  Devotions  for  the  Altar, 

I  return  unto  thy  Divine  Majesty,  for  impressing 
a  sense  of  my  duty  upon  my  mind,  and  for  that 
strength  and  power  whereby  Thou  hast  in  some 
measure  enabled  me  to  perform  it  ?  I  will  praise 
and  magnify  thy  great  and  glorious  name,  and  will 
entirely  devote  myself  to  thy  service  as  long  as 
I  have  any  being. 

Blessed  be  thy  name  for  those  fresh  supplies  of 
grace  I  have  received  at  thy  altar;  grant  that  they 
may  make  me  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments 
with  delight  and  pleasure;  that  I  may  never  any 
more  faint  or  droop,  or  tire  in  my  duty. 

Blessed  be  thy  name  for  those  comfortable  as- 
surances Thou  hast  given  me  of  pardon  and  forgive- 
ness. Let  this  thy  compassionate  goodness  be  a 
perpetual  obligation  to  love  and  gratitude.  Let  it 
put  me  upon  my  guard,  that  I  may  watch  over  all 
my  ways,  and  do  always  that  which  is  well  pleasing 
in  thy  sight. 

Blessed  be  thy  name  for  that  peace  and  quiet 
Thou  hast  restored  to  my  soul ;  for  those  resolu- 
tions Thou  hast  wrought  in  me  to  persevere  in  thy 
service  to  the  end  of  my  days  ;  make  them  firm, 
vigorous,  and  constant,  and  never  let  any  sinful 
passions  any  more  ruffle  and  discompose  my  mind. 

Blessed  be  thy  name  for  that  relish  Thou  hast 
given  me  of  spiritual  delights  ;  that  desire  of  pos- 
sessing the  eternal  inheritance  ;  let  the  enjo^'ments 
of  sense  appear  mean  and  contemptible,  and  let 
not  the  pleasures  of  the  world  any  more  prevail 
upon  me  to  transgress  thy  holy  laws. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  walk  worthy  of  these 
thy  distinguishing  mercies,  and  live  as  becomes  the 
redeemed  of  the  Lord.  Without  Thee,  O  blessed 
Jesus,  I  can  do  nothing ;  without  Thee,  who  art  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness,  I  shall  walk  in  darkness  ; 
without  Thee,  who  art  the  Physician  of  souls,  I 
shall  languish  and  die  ;  without  Thee,  who  art  the 
joy  of  all  devout  minds,  I  shall  consume  my  days 


A  Morning  Prayer  for  a  Family.  121 

away  in  sadness.  Remain,  therefore,  O  Lord,  and 
abide  with  me  for  ever ;  I  shall  then  be  enabled  to 
do  thy  will  in  this  life,  and  thereby  be  qualified  to 
partake  of  thy  glories  to  all  eternity  in  the  next. 
Amen,  Amen, 


Since  it  is  possible  this  little  Treatise  may  fall  into 
hands  that  may  he  destitute  of  helps  for  Family 
Devotion^  I  have  added  a  Morning  and  Evening 
Prayer  for  such  occasions, 

A  Morning  Prayer  for  a  Family. 

O  ETERNAL  GoD,  Creator  and  Preserver  of 
mankind,  Giver  of  all  spiritual  grace,  the  Author  of 
everlasting  life ;  we,  thine  unworthy  servants,  en- 
tirely desire  to  praise  thy  name  for  all  the  expres- 
sions of  thy  bounty  towards  us.  We  give  Thee 
thanks  that  Thou  hast  preserved  us  from  many  and 
great  dangers  wherewith  we  have  been  encom- 
passed ;  that  Thou  hast  brought  us  safe  to  the  light 
of  this  day,  and  that  Thou  hast  refreshed  us  the 
past  night  with  quiet  rest  and  sleep ;  but,  above 
all,  T)lessed  be  thy  love  that  gave  thy  Son  to  die  for 
our  sins,  to  put  us  in  a  way  of  being  happy,  if  we 
would  obey  Thee  ;  and,  after  all  our  wilful  refusals 
of  thy  grace,  still  hast  patience  with  us,  and  hast 
added  this  one  day  more  to  all  we  have  mis-spent 
already,  to  see  if  we  would  finish  the  work  Thou 
hast  set  us  to  do,  and  fit  ourselves  for  eternal 
glory. 

Pardon,  good  Lord,  all  our  former  sins,  and  all 
our  abuses  of  thy  forbearance  and  long-suffering, 
for  which  we  are  now  sorry  at  our  hearts :  give  us 
grace  to  lead  more  holy  lives,  and  to  be  more  care- 
ful in  improving  all  future  opportunities;  make 
thyself  present  to  our  minds,  and  let  thy  love  and 
thy  fear  rule  in  our  souls  in  all  those  places  and 

[96]  G 


122  A  Morning  Prayer  for  a  Family. 

companies  where  our  occasions  shall  lead  us  this 
day. 

Keep  us  chaste  in  all  our  thoughts;  temperate  in 
all  our  enjoyments,  humble  in  all  our  opinions  of 
ourselves,  charitable  in  all  our  speeches  of  others, 
meek  and  peaceable  under  all  provocations,  sincere 
and  faithful  in  all  our  professions,  and  so  just  and 
upright  in  all  our  dealings,  that  no  necessity  may 
force,  nor  opportunity  in  any  kind  allure  us,  to 
defraud  or  go  beyond  our  neighbours.  When  Thou 
bestowest  good  on  others,  let  us  not  envy  but  re- 
joice in  it ;  and  when  Thou  addest  any  to  our- 
selves, let  us  own  thy  mercy,  and  humbly  thank 
Thee  for  it. 

Afford  us  convenient  supplies  in  all  our  reason- 
able necessities,  and  protect  us  against  the  approach 
of  all  dangers  ;  make  us  diligent  in  all  our  affairs, 
and  give  such  success  to  all  our  lawful  endeavours, 
as  Thou  seest  most  expedient  for  us  ;  teach  us  con- 
tentedly to  submit,  and  not  to  repine  at  any  thing 
that  happens  by  the  allotment  of  thy  wise  Provi- 
dence. 

In  all  our  passage  through  this  world,  and  our 
manifold  concerns  in  it,  suffer  not  our  hearts  to  be 
too  much  set  upon  it ;  but  always  fix  our  eyes 
upon  the  blessed  hope,  that  as  we  go  along  we  may 
make  all  the  things  of  this  world  minister  to  it,  and 
be  careful  above  all  things  to  fit  our  souls  for  that 
pure  and  perfect  bliss,  which  Thou  hast  prepared 
for  all  that  love  and  fear  Thee,  in  the  glories  of  thy 
kingdom. 

Give  thy  grace,  most  merciful  God,  to  all  the 
world,  and  let  all  who  are  redeemed  by  the  blood 
of  thy  Son,  acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord,  and 
become  his  worshippers  and  faithful  servants. 
Make  all  Christians  conscientious  practisers  of  that 
holiness  they  profess  ;  and,  above  all,  inspire  them 
w-ith  uniting  principles  and  charitable  hearts,  that 
by  their  loving  one  another  as  Thou  hast  loved  us. 


A  Morning  Fray er  for  a  Family,  123 

all   the  world   may  know  they  are  thy  disciples. 
Let  all  governors  rule  with  wisdom  and  justice, 
and  subjects  obey  with  love  and  cheerfulness:  let 
the  priests  of  the  Lord  be  exemplary  in  their  lives, 
and  discreet  and  diligent  in  their  labours,  having  a 
most    compassionate    love    of  souls ;    and   let    the 
people  be  humble  and  tractable,  most  desirous  to 
hearken,  and  fully  bent  to  follow  wise  instructions. 
Relieve  the  afflicted,  and   those  that  are  in  want; 
assist  them  contentedly  to  depend  on  Thee.    ^  Raise 
friends  to  the  widows  and  fatherless,  the  prisoners 
and  captives,  and  all  that  groan  under  any  oppres- 
sion.    Give  repentance,  patience,  and  resignation 
to  all  that  lie  upon  beds  of  sickness,  and  ease  when 
Thou  seest  it  convenient  for  them.     Speak  peace  to 
troubled  consciences,  by  delivering  them  from  their 
causeless  scruples,  and   by  making  them  constant 
in  the  practice  of  holiness.     Bless   all  our  friends, 
who  are  especially  endeared  to  us  by   their  kind- 
nesses, all  our  relations  according  to  the  flesh,  all 
that  particularly  pray  for  us,  or  desire  our  prayers. 
Teach  us  all  to"^ask  what  Thou  approvest,  and  then 
grant  us  whatsoever  is  asked. 

Prevent  us  in  all  our  actions,  guard  us  against 
all  dangers,  relieve  us  in  all  straits,  and  grant  that 
we  may  always  make  Thee  our  confidant,  and  take 
all  things  well  that  Thou  orderest  for  us ;  shorten 
our  sorrows,  and  deliver  us  from  all  our  sins,  and 
fit  us  all  for  that  eternal  kingdom  which  Thou  hast 
prepared  for  us,  for  Jesus'  sake,  in  whose  holy 
name  and  words  we  further  pray  unto  Thee. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be 
with  us  this  day,  and  for  evermore.     Amen, 


G  2 


124 


An  Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family, 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
Maker  of  all  things,  Judge  of  all  men  :  we  acknow- 
ledge and  bewail  our  manifold  sins  and  wickedness, 
which  we  from  time  to  time  most  grievously  have 
committed  by  thought,  w^ord,  and  deed,  against  thy 
divine  Majesty,  provoking  most  justly  thy  wrath 
and  indignation  against  us  ;  we  do  earnestly  repent, 
and  are  heartily  sorry  for  these  our  misdoings,  and 
the  remembrance  of  them  is  grievous  unto  us. 

Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  Lord,  after  thy  great 
goodness  ;  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies 
do  away  our  offences  ;  wash  us  thoroughly  from  our 
wickedness,  and  cleanse  us  from  our  sins  ;  create 
and  make  in  us  new  and  contrite  hearts,  that  we, 
worthily  lamenting  our  past  follies,  and  acknow- 
ledging our  wretchedness,  may  obtain  of  Thee,  the 
God  of  all  mercy,  perfect  remission  and  forgive- 
ness. 

Grant  us,  O  Lord,  the  assistance  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit,  that  for  the  time  to  come  we  may  think  and 
do  such  things  as  be  rightful ;  that  we,  who  cannot 
do  any  thing  that  is  good  without  Thee,  may  by  Thee 
be  enabled  to  live  according  to  thy  will  ;  that  thy 
grace  may  always  so  prevent  and  follow  us,  as  to 
make  us  continually  to  be  given  to  all  good  works. 
And  Thou,  O  God,  whoknowestustobe  set  in  the 
midst  of  so  many  and  great  dangers,  that  by  reason 
of  the  frailty  of  our  nature  we  cannot  always  stand 
upright,  grant  to  us  such  strength  and  protection 
as  may  support  us-  in  all  dangers,  and  carry  us 
through  all  temptations. 

Help  us,  O  Lord,  to  withstand  the  assaults  of 
the  enemies  of  our  salvation,  the  world,  the  flesh, 
and  the  devil,  and  with  pure  hearts  and  minds  to 
follow  thee,  the  only  God.     Graft  in  our  souls  the 


An  Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family.         125 

love  of  thy  name ;  increase  in  us  true  religion  ; 
nourish  us  with  all  goodness,  and  of  thy  great  mercy 
keep  us  in  the  same.  And  Thou,  O  God,  whose 
never-failing  Providence  ordereth  all  things  both  in 
heaven  and  earth,  put  from  us,  we  beseech  Thee, 
all  hurtful  things,  and  give  us  those  things  which 
are  profitable  for  us.  And  since  it  is  Thou  alone 
canst  order  the  unruly  wills  and  affections  of 
sinful  men,  grant  that  we  may  love  the  things 
which  Thou  commandest,  and  desire  that  which 
Thou  dost  promise,  that  so,  among  the  sundry  and 
manifold  changes  of  the  world,  our  hearts  may 
surely  there  be  fixed,  where  true  joys  are  to  be 
found.  Dispose  us,  by  all  the  means  of  grace  we 
enjoy,  to  attain  that  everlasting  salvation  Thou  hast 
promised ;  that  we  may  both  perceive  and  know 
those  things  which  we  ought  to  do,  and  may  have 
grace  and  power  faithfully  to  fulfil  the  same. 

Teach  us,  O  Lord,  so  to  number  our  days,  that 
we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom ;  and  grant 
that  neither  the  splendour  of  any  thing  that  is  great 
nor  the  conceit  of  any  thing  that  is  good  in  us,  may 
any  way  withdraw  our  eyes  from  looking  upon  our- 
selves as  sinful  dust  and  ashes,  but  that  we  may 
press  forward  towards  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
that  is  before  us,  with  faith  and  patience,  with 
humility  and  meekness,  with  mortification  and  self- 
denial,  with  charity  and  constant  perseverance  to 
the  end  ;  that  so  when  we  shall  depart  this  life  we 
may  sleep  in  the  Lord,  and  at  the  general  resur- 
rection in  the  last  day  may  be  found  acceptable  in 
thy  sight,  and  receive  that  blessing  which  thy  be- 
loved Son  shall  then  confer  upon  all  those  that  truly 
love  and  fear  Thee. 

Charge  thy  holy  Providence,  O  Lord,  we  humbly 
beseech  Thee,  with  us  this  night,  and  by  thy  great 
mercy  defend  us  from  all  the  perils  and  dangers  of 
it.  Keep  us  both  outwardly  in  our  bodies,  and 
inwardly  in  our  souls,  that  we  may  be   defended 


126         An  Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family. 

from  all  adversities  that  may  happen  to  the  body, 
and  from  all  evil  thoughts  that  may  assault  and  hurt 
the  soul. 

Extend  thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  to  the  whole  race 
of  mankind;  have  mercy  upon  all  Jews,  Turks,  In- 
fidels, and  Heretics ;  take  from  them  all  ignorance, 
hardness  of  heart,  and  contempt  of  thy  word  ;  and 
so  fetch  them  home  to  thy  flock,  that  they  may  be 
saved  among  the  remnant  of  the  true  Israelites. 
Grant  unto  all  them  that  are  admitted  into  the 
fellowship  of  Christ's  religion,  that  they  may 
eschew  those  things  that  are  contrary  to  their  pro- 
fession, and  follow  all  such  things  as  are  agreeable 
to  the  same.  Let  thy  continual  pity  cleanse  and 
defend  thy  Church  ;  and  because  it  cannot  continue 
in  safety  without  thy  succour,  preserve  it  evermore 
by  thy  help  and  goodness.  Bless  all  our  governors 
both  in  Church  and  State,  that  in  their  several 
stations  they  may  be  useful  and  serviceable  to  thy 
glory  and  the  public  good.  We  make  our  humble 
supplications  to  Thee  for  all  our  benefactors,  friends, 
and  relations,  and  also  for  our  very  enemies ;  let 
thy  Fatherly  hand  be  ever  over  them,  let  thy  Holy 
Spirit  be  ever  with  them,  and  so  lead  them  in  the 
knowledge  and  obedience  of  thy  word,  that  in  the 
end  they  may  obtain  everlasting  life.  Look  with 
an  eye  of  pity  and  compassion  upon  all  those  who  are 
anyways  afflicted  in  mind,  body,  or  estate;  give 
them  patience  under  all  their  sufferings,  and  in  thy 
due  time  a  happy  issue  out  of  all  their  afflictions. 

And  as  we  pray  unto  Thee,  O  God,  for  ourselves 
and  others,  so  we  desire  to  bless  and  praise  thy  holy 
name  for  all  thy  goodness  and  loving-kindness  to  us 
and  to  all  men.  We  give  Thee  hearty  thanks  for  thy 
preservation  of  us  this  day  past,  and  the  rest  of  our 
lives,  from  innumerable  accidents  and  dangers;  for 
the  comforts  and  conveniences  as  well  as  the  neces- 
saries of  life ;  but  above  all,  we  laud,  and  magnify, 
and  adore  thy  goodness,  in  the  redemption  of  the 


An  Evening  Prayer  for  a  Family.         127 

world  by  the  death  and  passion  of  our  Saviour 
Christ,  both  God  and  man ;  who  did  humble  Him- 
self, even  to  the  death  upon  the  cross,  for  us  miser- 
able sinners,  who  lay  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow 
of  death,  that  He  might  make  us  the  children  of 
God,  and  exalt  us  to  everlasting  life.  Teach  us  to 
express  our  thankfulness  by  submitting  ourselves 
entirely  to  his  holy  will  and  pleasure,  and  by  study- 
ing to  serve  Him  in  true  hoUness  and  righteousness 
ali  the  days  of  our  lives.  Accept,  O  Lord,  of  these 
our  prayers  and  praises,  in  and  through  the  media- 
tion of  Jesus  Christ,  our  blessed  Saviour  and 
Redeemer,  who  has  taught  us,  when  we  pray,  to 
say, 

Our  Father f  &c. 


THE    END. 


Gilbert  &  Rivington,  Printers,  St.  John's  Square,  London. 


Date  Due 


I 


